Journal of Neurology

, Volume 240, Issue 7, pp 446–448 | Cite as

Fatigue, sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm in multiple sclerosis

  • M. J. B. Taphoorn
  • E. van Someren
  • F. J. Snoek
  • R. L. M. Strijers
  • D. F. Swaab
  • F. Visscher
  • L. P. de Waal
  • C. H. Polman
Original Communications

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether fatigue and sleep disturbances in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients might be due to disrupted circadian sleep wake regulation. Actigraphy and a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) were performed in 16 MS patients with both prominent sleep complaints and fatigue. Actigraphy scores did not differ from control values, whereas sleep onset latency values were altered in subgroups of MS patients. No evidence was found for a generalized circadian disturbance in MS patients.

Key words

Fatigue Sleep Circadian rhythm Multiple sclerosis 

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1993

Authors and Affiliations

  • M. J. B. Taphoorn
    • 1
  • E. van Someren
    • 2
  • F. J. Snoek
    • 3
  • R. L. M. Strijers
    • 4
  • D. F. Swaab
    • 2
  • F. Visscher
    • 1
  • L. P. de Waal
    • 5
  • C. H. Polman
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of NeurologyFree University HospitalMB AmsterdamThe Netherlands
  2. 2.The Netherlands Institute for Brain ResearchAmsterdamThe Netherlands
  3. 3.Department of Medical PsychologyFree University HospitalAmsterdamThe Netherlands
  4. 4.Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyFree University HospitalAmsterdamThe Netherlands
  5. 5.Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion ServiceAmsterdamThe Netherlands

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