Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders: Wang X

Shen J, Chung SA, Kayumov L, Moller H, Hossain N, Wang X, Deb P, Sun F, Huang X, Novak M, Appleton D, Shapiro CM. · Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario. · Can J Psychiatry. · Pubmed #16491981 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the effects of mirtazapine on polysomnographic sleep, especially slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, as well as its effects on clinical symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD: Sixteen MDD patients were treated with mirtazapine 30 mg taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Polysomnographic and subjective sleep, as well as other clinical data, were collected at baseline and on Days or Nights 2, 9, 16, 30, and 58 during treatment. We used repeated measures analysis of variance, including pairwise comparison, to analyze data statistically. RESULTS: Mirtazapine administration increased total SWS and the SWS in the first sleep cycle, but not SWS in the second sleep cycle. The medication increased REM latency and the duration of the first REM episode; it also decreased the number of REM episodes. Simultaneously, mirtazapine significantly reduced wake-after-sleep onset and scores on the Athens Insomnia Scale. After patients took the medication, scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HDRS-17) decreased rapidly and continuously. The changes on the Beck Depression Inventory-II were consistent with those on the HDRS-17. The medication has a tendency to increase weight. CONCLUSIONS: Mirtazapine significantly improved sleep quality, reversed sleep markers of depression, and reduced depressive symptoms in this group of MDD patients.

Younus J, Simpson I, Collins A, Wang X. · London Regional Cancer Centre, Ontario, Canada. · Womens Health Issues. · Pubmed #12732444 No free full text.

Abstract: The primary objective of this study was to observe the effect of hypnosis on hot flashes (HF) and overall quality of life in symptomatic patients. A secondary objective was to observe the effect of hypnosis on fatigue. Ten healthy volunteers and four breast cancer patients (total 14 patients) with symptoms of HF were treated with four, 1 h/wk sessions of hypnosis. The same physician, with the help of a nurse, conducted every session. All subjects recorded frequency, duration, and severity of HF in a HF diary. The QLQ-C30 and Brief Fatigue Inventory forms were used to assess the impact on quality of life and fatigue, respectively. The statistical evaluations were performed, including analysis of variance and nonparametric procedures. The frequency (p < 0.0001), duration (p < 0.0001), and severity (p < 0.0001) of HF were significantly reduced. The overall quality of life was also improved (p = 0.05). The subjects enjoyed better sleep and had less insomnia (p = 0.012). There was a significant improvement on current fatigue level (p = 0.017), but we did not find a statistically significant reduction in the total fatigue level. We conclude that hypnosis appears to be a feasible and promising intervention for HF, with a potential to improve quality of life and insomnia. Although improvement in current level of fatigue was observed in this pilot study, total fatigue improvement did not reach statistical significance.

Wang M, Li Y, Wang X, Guo M. · College of Precision Instrument and Opto-electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China. · Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. · Pubmed #15143544 No free full text.

Abstract: In this paper the response characteristic of the nerve fiber to the modulation magnetic field induction is studied by using the method of numeric simulation. It is found that the nerve fiber is sensitive to the low frequency modulated signal but not to the high frequency carrier wave. A simulative EEG signal generator is developed according to the change of EEG rhythm during the sleep. The simulative EEG square wave is modulated by high-frequency magnetic impulse. The modulation magnetic field is coupled into the rabbit's brain to study the influence of magnetic stimulation on the discharge of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) nerve cell. The experiment results demonstrate that discharge frequency of median raphe nuclei related to sleep changes significantly and the discharge becomes slow, which shows that magnetic stimulation can inhibit electrical activity of 5-HT nerve cell and provide a new way to improve insomnia.

Grözinger M, Härtter S, Wang X, Röschke J, Hiemke C, Rose DM. · No affiliation provided · Arch Gen Psychiatry. · Pubmed #10920471 No free full text.

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