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Fatigue, sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm in multiple sclerosis

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Free University Hospital, P.O. Box 7057, NL-1007, MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. J. B. Taphoorn, F. Visscher & C. H. Polman

  2. The Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    E. van Someren & D. F. Swaab

  3. Department of Medical Psychology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    F. J. Snoek

  4. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    R. L. M. Strijers

  5. Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    L. P. de Waal

Authors
  1. M. J. B. Taphoorn
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  2. E. van Someren
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  3. F. J. Snoek
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  4. R. L. M. Strijers
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  5. D. F. Swaab
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  6. F. Visscher
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  7. L. P. de Waal
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  8. C. H. Polman
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Taphoorn, M.J.B., van Someren, E., Snoek, F.J. et al. Fatigue, sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 240, 446–448 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00867360

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00867360

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