Abstract
BackgroundSleep-related eating may occur in the context of mental illness, sleep disorders, or psychopharmacological treatment. Frequently, sleep-related eating leads to severe weight gain and, so far, there are no treatment options for the condition.Case presentationWe report the case of a 54-year-old white woman with depression, panic disorder, and sleep apnea under treatment with various antidepressants who developed severe sleep-related eating. Her sleep-related eating completely vanished after addition of agomelatine, it reoccurred after cessation of agomelatine, and vanished again after her re-exposure to another melatonergic drug, extended melatonin.ConclusionsThis case suggests that melatonergic drugs lead to relief from sleep-related eating, even when the condition occurs in the context of physical and mental disorders as well as psychopharmacological treatment.
Highlights
Sleep-related eating may occur in the context of mental illness, sleep disorders, or psychopharmacological treatment
In the case of sleep-related eating (SRE), this circadian regulation is disturbed and uncontrollable eating occurs during nighttime sleep
The disorder mainly occurs in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep [2] and SRE is considered a parasomnia disorder, frequently associated with sleepwalking [3]
Summary
In humans, eating and sleeping are organized in a circadian manner. In the case of sleep-related eating (SRE), this circadian regulation is disturbed and uncontrollable eating occurs during nighttime sleep. Episodes of SRE mainly take place upon transition from sleep to wakefulness. There is reduced consciousness and in the morning there might be no recall of the nighttime eating episodes [1]. The disorder mainly occurs in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep [2] and SRE is considered a parasomnia disorder, frequently associated with sleepwalking [3]. Patients often have undesirable weight gain due to a preference for high-calorie food during SRE and as a result have health consequences. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine operationalized SRE disorder (SRED) as: 1. Recurrent episodes of dysfunctional eating that occur after an arousal during the main sleep period The American Academy of Sleep Medicine operationalized SRE disorder (SRED) as: 1. Recurrent episodes of dysfunctional eating that occur after an arousal during the main sleep period
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
