 | | | | Related Healthscout Videos | |
|
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Having a tough time falling asleep? A chemical in your brain may be to blame.
Researchers recently discovered insomnia in adults may be caused by a neurochemical abnormality. A new study revealed 30 percent of insomniacs have a reduced level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most common inhibitory transmitter in the brain. GABA decreases activity in many brain areas, helping it to shut down. These findings suggest the sleep disorder is due to the brain being hyperaroused during both wake and sleep.
Text Continues Below
The new finding gives insight into insomnia as being more than a disorder that happens after dark. Recognition that insomnia has manifestations in the brain may increase the legitimacy of those who have insomnia and report substantial daytime consequences, principal investigator John Winkelman, M.D., Ph.D., of Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, was quoted as saying. Insomnia is not just a phenomenon observed at night, but has daytime consequences for energy, concentration and mood.
The study involved 16 men and women between the ages of 25 and 55 who had difficulty sleeping and were not taking prescription medications. Researchers also say they found hypnotic medications that best treat insomnia are benzodiazepine receptor antagonists (BzRAs); those that increase activity of the GABA neurons.
SOURCE: Sleep, 2008
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Lindsay Braun at lbraun@ivanhoe.com.
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
|
.gif)
