Cited by 401Sleep and related disordersSleep and Wakefulness ResearchStress Responses and Cortisol

Chronic insomnia and activity of the stress system

Vgontzas, Alexandros N., Tsigos, Constantine, Bixler, Edward O., Stratakis, Constantine A., Zachman, Keith, Kales, Anthony, Vela-Bueno, Antonio, Chrousos, George P.·1998·Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether there is an association between chronic insomnia and the activity of the stress system. Fifteen young adult insomniacs (<40 years) were studied. After an adaptation night, each subject was recorded in the sleep laboratory for three consecutive nights. During this period, 24-hour urine specimens were collected for measurements of urinary free cortisol (UFC), catecholamines, and growth hormone (GH). The 24-hour UFC levels were positively correlated with total wake time (p=0.05). In addition, 24-hour urinary levels of catecholamine metabolites, DHPG, and DOPAC were positively correlated with percent stage 1 sleep (p<0.05) and wake time after sleep onset (WTASO) (p<0.05). Norepinephrine tended to correlate positively with percent stage 1 sleep (p=0.063) and WTASO (p=0.074), and negatively with percent slow-wave sleep (p=0.059). Twenty-four-hour urinary GH excretion was detectable in only three insomniacs, two of whom had low indices of sleep disturbance. We conclude that, in chronic insomnia, the activity of both limbs of the stress system (i.e., the HPA axis and the sympathetic system) relates positively to the degree of objective sleep disturbance.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0022-3999(97)00302-4

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  • Later studies found that 24-h urinary free cortisol, norepinephrine, and catecholamine metabolites levels were increased in patients with insomnia or were correlated with PSG indices of sleep disturbance in insomnia patients.

    “later studies found that 24-h urinary free cortisol, norepinephrine, and catecholamine metabolites levels were increased in patients with insomnia or were correlated with PSG indices of sleep disturbance in insomnia patients(148-151).”

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Authors
Vgontzas, A. N., Tsigos, C., Bixler, E. O., Stratakis, C. A., Zachman, K., Kales, A., Vela-Bueno, A., & Chrousos, G. P.
Affiliations
  • Pennsylvania State University (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Vgontzas, Alexandros N.
Venue
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1998-07
Volume
45
Issue
1
Pages
21-31
ISSN
0022-3999 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W127750747
Cited by
401
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 19
FWCI
6.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Psychosomatic Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
chronic insomnia, stress system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, sympathetic nervous system, urinary free cortisol, catecholamines, norepinephrine, growth hormone, sleep disorders, wake after sleep onset, slow-wave sleep, stage 1 sleep, DOPAC, DHPG
MeSH terms
Adult, Catecholamines, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Regression Analysis, Sleep, Stress, Psychological, Time Factors, Polysomnography, Human Growth Hormone

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