- Title
- Declining melatonin levels and older people. How old is old?
- Creator
- Graham, D.; McLachlan, Angus
- Date
- 2004
- Type
- Text; Journal article
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/32317
- Identifier
- vital:362
- Identifier
- http://www.nel.edu/pdf_/25_6/NEL250604A04_Graham_.pdf
- Identifier
- ISSN:0172-780X
- Abstract
- Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether melatonin levels in older cohorts within the 'aged' population were significantly lower than in younger 'aged' individuals and hence point to a possible confound in cross-sectional studies which group individuals over 55 in one category. Setting and design: Melatonin levels of 35 North Queensland residents over 55 years of age living in an aged-care facility, a retirement village or the general community were compared across three age groups. Methods: Subjects were ten 56-65 year olds, eighteen 66-75 year olds and seven over-75 year olds. Information was obtained on sleep, awakening, medical conditions and medications, with subsequent exclusion of those with known medical conditions and/or medications. Melatonin was collected by salivary samples at 2200 hours and concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Results: Mean melatonin levels were significantly lower (p=.03) in the 'oldest' (over 75 yrs) group compared to the 'youngest' (56-65 yrs) group. Main findings: The results of this preliminary study indicate that within the older population, melatonin levels appear to decline significantly with age. Conclusions: Future studies of melatonin and ageing may benefit from a longitudinal approach, with older subjects sampled across time. Copyright © Neuroendocrinology Letters.; C1
- Publisher
- Neuroendocrinology Letters
- Relation
- Neuroendocrinology Letters Vol. 25, no. 6 (2004), p. 415-418
- Rights
- Open Access
- Rights
- Copyright Neuroendocrinology Letters
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- 1103 Clinical Sciences; Ageing; Melatonin
- Full Text
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