beta(1)-adrenergic antagonists improve sleep and behavioural disturbances in a circadian disorder, Smith-Magenis syndrome.

Abstract

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a clinically recognisable contiguous gene syndrome ascribed to interstitial deletions of chromosome 17p11.2. Patients have a phase shift of their circadian rhythm of melatonin with a paradoxical diurnal secretion of the hormone. Serum melatonin levels and day-night behaviour were studied in nine SMS children (aged 4 to 17 years) given acebutolol, a selective beta(1)-adrenergic antagonist (10 mg/kg early in the morning). Cardiac examination, serum melatonin, motor activity recordings, and sleep diaries were monitored before and after drug administration. The present study shows that a single morning dose of acebutolol suppressed the inappropriate secretion of melatonin in SMS. A significant improvement of inappropriate behaviour with increased concentration, delayed sleep onset, increased hours of sleep, and delayed waking were also noted. These results suggest that beta(1)-adrenergic antagonists help to manage hyperactivity, enhance cognitive performance, and reduce sleep disorders in SMS.

• Authors: H De Leersnyder, M C de Blois, M Vekemans, D Sidi, E Villain, C Kindermans, A Munnich
• Journal: Journal of medical genetics (J Med Genet) Vol. 38 Issue 9 Pg. 586-90 (Sep 2001) ISSN: 1468-6244 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 11546826 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Acebutolol
• Melatonin

Topics

• Acebutolol (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Adolescent
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Behavior (drug effects, physiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 (genetics)
• Chronobiology Disorders (drug therapy, genetics, physiopathology)
• Circadian Rhythm (drug effects, physiology)
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Hyperkinesis (drug therapy, genetics, physiopathology)
• In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
• Male
• Melatonin (blood)
• Sleep (drug effects, genetics, physiology)
• Sleep Wake Disorders (drug therapy, genetics, physiopathology)
• Syndrome
• Wakefulness (drug effects, genetics, physiology)