Abstract

Sleep quality declines with age, with less time in deep or slow wave sleep (SWS) and reduced amplitude of the delta waves that characterize it. Age-related declines also occur in lean body mass, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). These changes in sleep quality and anabolic status may be related, as administration of GH or growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) can enhance SWS and decrease awakenings in young men. Here we examine the relationship between plasma IGF levels and delta sleep quality in older men. The sleep EEG of 30 healthy elderly men (64 +/- 6 yrs; range 50-75) was recorded on the second of 2 consecutive nights. Plasma samples were drawn within 3 weeks of EEG recording, and IGF levels were assayed by RIA after acid extraction. IGF explained 28% (semi-partial correlation coefficient r = .53; p = .003) of the variance in average delta energy per epoch of SWS, after age-related variance was removed. Higher IGF was associated with higher average delta energy. Similar results were obtained for total delta energy during SWS (r = .37, p = .04) 4nd time spent in SWS (r = .42, p = .02). Other measures of sleep quality (e.g., wakefulness, REM sleep) were not correlated with IGF. The IGF delta relationship was minimally influenced by moderator variables such as thyroxine (T3, T4), and/or body mass index (BMI). We conclude that age-adjusted IGF levels in healthy senior men co-vary significantly with SWS and the delta energy that characterizes it.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.