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Cited by 337Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Wakefulness ResearchStress Responses and Cortisol

Neuroendocrine rhythms and sleep in aging men

van Coevorden, A., Mockel, J., Laurent, E., Kerkhofs, M., L'Hermite-Baleriaux, M., Decoster, C., Neve, P., Van Cauter, E.·1991·American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism
DOI 10.1152/ajpendo.1991.260.4.e651
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Abstract

To delineate the physiological effects of aging on basal levels and temporal patterns of neuroendocrine secretions, the 24-h profiles of cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), melatonin, prolactin, and growth hormone (GH) levels were simultaneously obtained at frequent intervals in eight healthy, active elderly men, age 67-84 yr and in eight young male adults, age 20-27 yr. The study was preceded by an extended period of habituation to laboratory conditions, and sleep was polygraphically recorded. Mean cortisol levels in the elderly were normal, but the amplitude of the circadian rhythm was reduced. Circulating levels of daytime and nighttime levels of both TSH and GH were greatly diminished in old age. In contrast, prolactin and melatonin concentrations were decreased during the nighttime only. The circadian rises of cortisol, TSH, and melatonin occurred 1-1.5 h earlier in elderly subjects, and the distribution of rapid-eye-movement stages during sleep was similarly advanced, suggesting that circadian timekeeping is modified during normal senescence. Despite perturbations of sleep, sleep-related release of GH and prolactin occurred in all elderly men. Age-related decreases in hormonal levels were associated with a decrease in the amplitude, but not the frequency, of secretory pulses. These findings demonstrate that the normal process of aging involves alterations in the central mechanisms controlling the temporal organization of endocrine release in addition to a reduction of secretory outputs.

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Crossref · 10.1152/ajpendo.1991.260.4.e651

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  • Cortisol concentrations reach their zenith in the morning, experience a gradual fall during the day, which is briefly interrupted by meals, and have their nadir around 3 am.

    “Cortisol concentrations reach their zenith in the morning, experience a gradual fall during the day, which is briefly interrupted by meals, and have their nadir around 3 am (Fig. 2).48”

    From Interacting epidemics? Sleep curtailment, insulin resistance, and obesity (2012) · cites this paper as [48]

  • Thyroid stimulating hormone levels rise at night, mostly due to increased hypothalamic secretion of thyroid releasing hormone.

    “Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels rise at night, mostly due to increased hypothalamic secretion of thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) (Fig. 2).48”

    From Interacting epidemics? Sleep curtailment, insulin resistance, and obesity (2012) · cites this paper as [48]

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Authors
van Coevorden, A., Mockel, J., Laurent, E., Kerkhofs, M., L'Hermite-Baleriaux, M., Decoster, C., Neve, P., & Van Cauter, E.
Affiliations
  • School of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
  • Université Libre de Bruxelles (BE)
ORCID
Neve, P.
Venue
American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Published
1991-04-01
Volume
260
Issue
4
Pages
E651-E661
ISSN
  • 0193-1849 (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-1555
DOI
10.1152/ajpendo.1991.260.4.e651
OpenAlex
W1776470977
Cited by
336
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 11
FWCI
4.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK-41814, R01DK041814)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
aging, circadian rhythm, sleep, cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, melatonin, prolactin, growth hormone, REM sleep, older men, circadian timing
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Circadian Rhythm, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Melatonin, Prolactin, Sleep, Sleep, REM, Growth Hormone, Thyrotropin, Wakefulness

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