L-Tryptophan As Treatment for Pediatric Non-Rapid Eye Movement Parasomnia.

Objective: Parasomnias are common in childhood but there is no established treatment for parasomnias. The aim of this study was to (1) report on the outcome of using L-tryptophan to manage parasomnias in children and (2) examine sleep architecture and subjective psychological/sleep symptoms in children with parasomnia.

Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted of charts of children (3-18 years old) who underwent polysomnographic testing and were diagnosed with primary parasomnia.

The Toronto Hospital Alertness Test scale: relationship to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Objective: The Toronto Hospital Alertness Test (THAT) scale was designed to measure alertness, defined as the capacity of the mind to respond appropriately to external and internal stimuli. The present study's aim is to determine normative values of alertness on the THAT and to explore the relationship among excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, depressive symptoms, and alertness.

Methods: Normative data were collected from 60 healthy males and females.

Peeking into the minds of troubled adolescents: the utility of polysomnography sleep studies in an inpatient psychiatric unit.

Background: Sleep problems are commonly associated with the primary diagnostic criteria for many psychiatric disorders. Evidence suggests sleep disturbances may precede development of psychiatric disorders and the severity of psychopathology reflects the severity of sleep problems. Polysomnography (PSG) sleep studies in child and adolescent psychiatric populations, a particularly at risk group, has considerable value but has been more elusive requiring further investigation.

An approach to long-term sedative-hypnotic use.

Insomnia is a common, often chronic medical disorder with significant medical and socioeconomic repercussions. However, unlike other medical conditions, there is intense debate as to whether the long-term treatment of insomnia is clinically appropriate. The perceived deleterious side effect of sedative-hypnotic medications may result in patients remaining untreated or undertreated.

Zopiclone as positive control in studies examining the residual effects of hypnotic drugs on driving ability.

Zopiclone (7.5 mg) is frequently used as a positive control in studies that examine the residual effects of hypnotic drugs on driving ability and related skills. This review summarizes studies examining the effects of zopiclone, and discusses its usefulness as a comparator drug for investigations of residual effects of novel sleep medication.

Measurements of sleepiness and fatigue.

Sleepiness and fatigue are terms commonly used in clinical practice and research. At times sleepiness and fatigue are used interchangeably; however, each of them has distinct implications for diagnosis and treatment. The objective of this article is to review the psychometric properties of the measurements of sleepiness and fatigue.