Research on Melatonin
Bipolar affective disorder, also know as manic-depressive illness, is a severe, mostly recurrent mood disorder associated with great morbidity. The mortality rate of the disease is two to three times higher than that of the general population. Unfortunately, about 10-20% of individuals with BD take their own life and nearly one third of patients admit to at least one suicide attempt (Martin, 1981). The clinical manifestations of the disease are exceptionally diverse. The alternating cycles range from mild hypomania to mild depression, to severe forms of mania or depression that can be accompanied by profound psychosis. Bipolar disorder is equally prevalent across sexes, with the exception of rapid cycling, a severe and difficult to treat variant of the condition, which arises mostly in women. Because of the high risk of recurrence and suicide, long-term pharmacological treatment is essential (Coon, 1992). Fortunately, effective pharmacological treatments are available today that can greatly prevent or alleviate the suffering caused by BD, thus allowing almost all people with BD, substantial stabilization of their mood swings (Coon, 1992). Lithium has been the primary treatment for Bipolar disorder since its int
6. No record of heart, liver or kidney disease. Previous research indicates that an abnormal response to light suppression of melatonin levels materializes in individuals with bipolar affective disorder and that this may be trait marker for the condition (Nathan, Burrows & Norman, 1999). Nathan et al., (1999) found supersensitive melatonin suppression to light in BD patients (p < .05), as well as in people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (p < .05). Interesting, patients with major depressive disorder exhibited similar suppression to controls. It is speculated that the light sensitivity in BD patients may be due to abnormal neurotransmitter/receptor systems involved in regulation of melatonin suppression and circadian rhythmicity, which may lead to phase-delays in circadian rhythms (Nathan, Burrows & Norman, 1998). Tzischinsky, O., Dagan, Y., & Lavie, P. (1993). Melatonin and the pineal Leading up to, during and following the study, it will be necessary for female participants to refrain from sexual activity. This is to avoid any negative effects that sodium valproate may have on contraception, for instance, the contraceptive pill.
Some topics in this essay:
Plan Selection,
Burrows Norman,
Introduction Bipolar,
Dagan Lavie,
Goodwin Guze,
Method Participants,
Topcon IM-3,
Hopskins Gelenberg,
sodium valproate,
University Adelaide,
et al,
Hopkins Gelenberg,
nocturnal melatonin,
bd individuals,
body temperature,
melatonin levels,
light sensitivity bd,
lavie 1993,
sensitivity bd,
gelenberg 1994,
affective disorder,
dagan lavie 1993,
nathan burrows norman,
melatonin plasma levels,
occur nocturnal melatonin,
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Approximate Word count = 2287
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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