None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Circadian misalignment disrupts REM sleep, a stage of sleep which is important for fear memory processing. The aim of this study is to explore whether the sleep aid melatonin, when administered prior to circadian misalignment, will rescue REM sleep and recover fear inhibition processes. This study will provide important insight into the relationship between REM sleep and processes critical for treatment and recovery from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Interventions
Participants will undergo a 4-night/4-day experimental protocol. Night 1 is an adaptation night for habituation to sleeping within a laboratory environment. Participants will undergo normal, undisturbed sleep on Night 2. Circadian misalignment is induced by advancing the sleep episode by 4-hours on Night 3, and then a further 4-hours on Night 4. On Night 3 and 4, participants will be administered melatonin 3mg (experimental condition) or placebo (control condition) in capsule form prior to the a
Participants will undergo a 4-night/4-day experimental protocol. Night 1 is an adaptation night for habituation to sleeping within a laboratory environment. Participants will undergo normal, undisturbed sleep on Night 2. Circadian misalignment is induced by advancing the sleep episode by 4-hours on Night 3, and then a further 4-hours on Night 4. On Night 3 and 4, participants will be administered melatonin 3mg (experimental condition) or placebo (control condition) in capsule form prior to the advanced bedtime and according to the individual’s circadian phase. Medication and placebo containers will be returned to the study team as a check for adherence.
Sponsors
Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 39 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria are: 1) age 18–39 years-old; 2) regular sleep-wake schedule; 3) no current and unmanaged medical or psychiatric diagnoses; and d) no personal history of any Axis I diagnosis or family history of mood or psychotic disorders. Also, female participants will be studied in phases of the menstrual cycle in which estrogen levels are normal - high.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria are: 1) any sleep disorder revealed on the adaptation night (e.g., sleep apnea); and 2) not exhibiting consistent startle responding on the screening day (i.e., over 75% discernible responses to 6 108-dB 40-ms startle pulses).
Outcome results
None listed