Abstract
The typical behavioral characteristics of the night eating syndrome have been described as morning anorexia, evening hyperphagia and insomnia. The neuroendocrine characteristics have been described as changes in the circadian rhythm by an attenuation in the nocturnal rise of the plasma concentrations of melatonin and leptin and an increased circadian secretion of cortisol. The night eaters also have an overexpressed hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with an attenuated response to stress. The night eating syndrome appears to represent a new eating disorder, different from the established disorders of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorders. It differs in the frequency and size of ingestions at night, and the elevated plasma levels of cortisol reflect increased activity of CRH, as expressed by an attenuated ACTH and cortisol response. In conclusion the mechanisms behind the increased CRH stimulation may involve alterations in the neurotransmitter systems, causing increased nocturnal appetite and disruption in the sleep pattern. This may, to some extent, explain the disturbances in the circadian secretions of melatonin and leptin and the behavioral characteristics of the night eating syndrome.
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© 2006 Landes Bioscience/Eurekah.com and Springer Science+Business Media
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Birketvedt, G.S., Florholmen, J.R. (2006). The Night Eating Syndrome. In: Sleep and Sleep Disorders. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-27682-3_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-27682-3_28
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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