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Absence of detectable melatonin and preservation of cortisol and thyrotropin rhythms in tetraplegiaThe human circadian timing system regulates the temporal organization of several endocrine functions, including the production of melatonin (via a neural pathway that includes the spinal cord), TSH, and cortisol. In traumatic spinal cord injury, afferent and efferent circuits that influence the basal production of these hormones may be disrupted. We studied five subjects with chronic spinal cord injury (three tetraplegic and two paraplegic, all neurologically complete injuries) under stringent conditions in which the underlying circadian rhythmicity of these hormones could be examined. Melatonin production was absent in the three tetraplegic subjects with injury to their lower cervical spinal cord and was of normal amplitude and timing in the two paraplegic subjects with injury to their upper thoracic spinal cord. The amplitude and the timing of TSH and cortisol rhythms were robust in the paraplegics and in the tetraplegics. Our results indicate that neurologically complete cervical spinal injury results in the complete loss of pineal melatonin production and that neither the loss of melatonin nor the loss of spinal afferent information disrupts the rhythmicity of cortisol or TSH secretion.
Document ID
20040141529
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Zeitzer, J. M.
(Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States)
Ayas, N. T.
Shea, S. A.
Brown, R.
Czeisler, C. A.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 2000
Publication Information
Publication: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Volume: 85
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0021-972X
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: HL-26149
CONTRACT_GRANT: RO1-MH-45130
CONTRACT_GRANT: M01-RR-02635
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology
Non-NASA Center

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