Papers by Charles Meliska
PubMed, Jun 1, 2003
Mood disorders during the postpartum period occur in 10% to 15% of women. The hormonal basis of t... more Mood disorders during the postpartum period occur in 10% to 15% of women. The hormonal basis of these disorders, however, has not been investigated systematically and extensively. We review recent studies, primarily from the past 5 years, in which investigators examined the major categories of proposed hormonal etiologies, including gonadal steroids, thyroid hormones, cortisol, prolactin, and melatonin, and then present descriptive statistics of our preliminary findings in these hormonal dimensions from a group of 20 depressed and normal control pregnant and postpartum women.
Cambridge University Press eBooks, Jul 20, 2011
Psychiatry Research-neuroimaging, Jun 1, 2011
Previous work shows a relationship between measures of morning or evening preference (e.g., Morni... more Previous work shows a relationship between measures of morning or evening preference (e.g., Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) scores) and melatonin and sleep timing, body mass index (BMI) and mood. This study explores the relationship of these factors to atypical depression (ATD) symptoms, particularly increased appetite and hypersomnia, in depressed and non-depressed peri-and post-menopausal women. Participants were 19 normal control subjects and 10 depressed patients, 46-72 years of age. In a university hospital setting, we administered the MEQ and Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Seasonal Affective Disorders (SIGH-SAD version), which includes a measure of ATD, 3-5 weeks before obtaining nighttime polysomnography and overnight plasma melatonin in dim light (< 30 lux). Scores on SIGH-SAD appetite-related items were significantly correlated with MEQ, dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) time and midsleep time (MST); BMI was related to MST, sleep end time, phase-angle differences between sleep and melatonin timing, and appetite measures. Results suggest that relative to women with earlier DLMOs and MSTs, depressed peri-and postmenopausal women whose DLMOs and MSTs are phase-delayed may experience increases in appetite, hypersomnia, and BMI. These symptoms might be relieved by sleep or light manipulations that advance melatonin and sleep timing parameters.
Journal of Affective Disorders, Feb 1, 2019
Background: Peripartum major depression (MD) disables mothers and impairs emotional and neurocogn... more Background: Peripartum major depression (MD) disables mothers and impairs emotional and neurocognitive development of offspring. We tested the hypothesis that critically-timed wake therapy (WT) relieves peripartum MD by altering melatonin and sleep timing, differentially, in antepartum vs. postpartum depressed patients (DP). Methods: In a university clinical research center, we initially randomized 50 women-26 antepartum (17 healthy comparison-HC, 9 DP) and 24 postpartum (8 HC, 16 DP)-to a cross-over trial of one night of early-night wake therapy (EWT: sleep 3:00-7:00 am) vs. late-night wake therapy (LWT: sleep 9:00 pm-01:00 am). Ultimately, we obtained mood, overnight plasma melatonin and polysomnography for: 15 antepartum women receiving EWT, 18 receiving LWT; 15 postpartum women receiving EWT, 14 receiving LWT. Results: EWT improved mood more in antepartum vs. postpartum DP in conjunction with reduced (normalized) melatonin-sleep phase-angle differences (PADs) due to delayed melatonin onsets and advanced sleep onsets, and increased (from baseline) total sleep times (TST). LWT improved mood more in postpartum vs. antepartum DP in conjunction with increased TST. Limitations: Small samples potentially rendered the study underpowered to detect group differences, making confirmation with larger samples essential. Sufficient follow-up data were not available in most women to document the duration of the mood response to wake therapy. Conclusions: EWT benefitted antepartum DP more by realigning melatonin and sleep timing, whereas LWT benefitted postpartum DP more by increasing TST. Thus, consistent with precision medicine aims, maximum mood benefits accrue from timing sleep/wake interventions to specific peripartum circadian pathophysiologies.
Psychiatry Research-neuroimaging, Oct 1, 2008
Wake therapy improves mood in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a depressive disorder in DS... more Wake therapy improves mood in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a depressive disorder in DSM-IV. We tested the hypothesis that the therapeutic effect of wake therapy in PMDD is mediated by altering sleep phase with melatonin secretion. We measured plasma melatonin every 30 minutes (18:00-09:00 h) in 19 PMDD and 18 normal control (NC) women during mid follicular (MF) and late luteal (LL) menstrual cycle phases, and during LL interventions with early wake therapy (EWT) (sleep 03:00-07:00 h)(control condition) versus late wake therapy (LWT) (sleep 21:00-01:00 h)(active condition). Melatonin offset was delayed and duration was longer in the symptomatic LL vs. asymptomatic MF phase in both NC and PMDD subjects. LWT, but not EWT, advanced offset and shortened duration vs. the LL baseline, although they improved mood equally. Later baseline LL morning melatonin offset was associated with more depressed mood in PMDD patients, and longer melatonin duration in the MF phase predicted greater mood improvement following LWT. That LWT, but not EWT, advanced melatonin offset and shortened duration while they were equally effective in improving mood suggests that decreasing morning melatonin secretion is not necessary for the therapeutic effects of wake therapy in PMDD.
Journal of Affective Disorders, Mar 1, 2023
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, Mar 1, 2009
This study evaluated the effect of menopause, hormone therapy (HT) and aging on sleep. Further, t... more This study evaluated the effect of menopause, hormone therapy (HT) and aging on sleep. Further, the mechanisms behind these effects were examined by studying the associations between sleep and the nocturnal profiles of sleep-related hormones. Crosssectional study protocols were used to evaluate sleep in normal conditions and during recovery from sleep deprivation. The effect of initiation of HT on sleep and sleeprelated hormones was studied in a prospective controlled trial. Young, premenopausal and postmenopausal women were studied, and the methods included polysomnography, 24-h blood sampling, questionnaires and cognitive tests of attention. Postmenopausal women were less satisfied with their sleep quality than premenopausal women, but this was not reflected in sleepiness or attention. The objective sleep quality was mainly similar in pre-and postmenopausal women, but differed from young women. The recovery mechanisms from sleep deprivation were relatively well-preserved after menopause. HT offered no advantage to sleep after sleep deprivation or under normal conditions. The decreased growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) levels after menopause were reversible with HT. Neither menopause nor HT had any effect on cortisol levels. In premenopausal women, HT had only minor effects on PRL and cortisol levels. The temporal link between GH and slow wave sleep (SWS) was weaker after menopause. PRL levels were temporally associated with sleep stages, and higher levels were seen during SWS and lower during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. Sleep quality after menopause is better determined by age than by menopausal state. Although HT restores the decreased levels of GH and PRL after menopause, it offers no advantage to sleep quality under normal conditions or after sleep deprivation.
Psi Chi journal of undergraduate research, 2000
Physiological psychology, Dec 1, 1974
Two groups of six rats each, preselected for high and low rates of spontaneous wheelrunning activ... more Two groups of six rats each, preselected for high and low rates of spontaneous wheelrunning activity, were tested immediately following injections of either distilled water or nicotine hydrogen tartrate. At 0.10, 0.20, 0040, and 0.80 mgjkg, nicotine depressed wheelrunning significantly in the high-activity Ss during the first 20 min after the injection. The performance of the low-activity Ss was not significantly affected by any dose of the drug. No evidence of tolerance development to the depressant actions of the drug was obtained.
Journal of Womens Health, Jun 1, 2012
Purpose: To assess the relationship between nocturnal plasma melatonin and serum estradiol (E 2) ... more Purpose: To assess the relationship between nocturnal plasma melatonin and serum estradiol (E 2) and progesterone (P 4) levels in depressed pregnant women (DW) and matched healthy women (HW). Methods: We used analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression analyses on data obtained from pregnant HW and DW. Results: Log E 2 and log P 4 were positively correlated with measures of melatonin quantity in HW (p < 0.05) but not DW, controlling for age. Log E 2 and log P 4 were positively correlated with melatonin offset and duration in DW (p < 0.01) but not HW. Conclusions: Pregnant DW may be less sensitive than HW to modulation of melatonin secretion by E 2 and P 4. That melatonin timing measures are more sensitive to E 2 and P 4 variation in DW may reflect a circadian system more attuned to the need for realignment in DW than in HW. These altered sensitivities to reproductive hormones may reflect a biologic vulnerability that predisposes some pregnant women to depression.
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, Dec 31, 2012
Background leep is vital for normal health and well-being. Without sufficient sleep, adults often... more Background leep is vital for normal health and well-being. Without sufficient sleep, adults often experience functional decrements that may lead to accidents, 1 increased risks for physical 2-4 and mental illness, 3,5,6 decreased cognitive performance 4,7 (especially with aging 8), and increased mortality. 9 A recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analysis of 2006 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) also determined that women are at higher risk of sleep disturbance (12.4%) than males (9.9%) 10 and therefore,
Animal Learning & Behavior, Jun 1, 1976
In three separate experiments, male Betta splendens were exposed, respectively, to mirror images,... more In three separate experiments, male Betta splendens were exposed, respectively, to mirror images, a variety of conspecifics, and to future opponents, prior to combat with unexposed sUbjects. Threat display to mirror images and to live opponents habituated significantly, but the outcomes of dominancesubordinance tests were not significantly affected by prior exposure to any of the threat-eliciting stimuli. Results are discussed in terms of stimulus and response specificity and possible chemical suppression of agonistic behavior.
Behavioral and Neural Biology, Apr 1, 1980
Sixteen pairs of adult male Betta splendens were tested for waning of threat displays during 124 ... more Sixteen pairs of adult male Betta splendens were tested for waning of threat displays during 124 hr of exposure to either conspecifics or to one-way mirrors. In the one-way mirror condition, eight fish viewed their own mirror images while their respective pair members viewed them through the transparent, nonreflective sides of the one-way mirrors. Mirror viewers displayed much more persistently than fish which viewed them through the one-way mirrors, and somewhat more than conspecifics which viewed each other through clear partitions. When the visually preexposed pairs were later permitted to fight, viewing mirrors or other conspecifics prior to combat had not reduced attack readiness. In fact, visually isolated control pairs fought less than visually preexposed fish; subsequent visual exposure to opponents reversed the effects of visual isolation. Results suggest that threat displays in restrained Betta wane when fish withhold threat-sustaining visual feedback from each other, And while threat displays may be reduced by viewing mirrors or conspecifics, actual attack readiness is not, suggesting that threat and attack components of aggression may vary independently of each other.
Investigators have proposed many theories for the pathogenesis of premenstrual and postpartum dep... more Investigators have proposed many theories for the pathogenesis of premenstrual and postpartum depression. Evidence for chronobiological theories shows that disturbances in the timing (phase) or amplitude of circadian rhythms contribute to the symptoms manifested in these disorders related to women’s reproductive cycle. Relevant circadian rhythms include sleep, melatonin, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and prolactin (PRL). Diurnal patterns of secretion of these hormones in relation to sleep and to the changing reproductive hormones of each epoch are described. Disturbances in melatonin and PRL characterize premenstrual depressive disorders, whereas disturbances in sleep are common in postpartum depressive disorders.
ChronoPhysiology and Therapy, Jun 1, 2014
Sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm disorders, ... more Sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm disorders, and sleep-related movement disorders are a significant public health issue, affecting approximately 40 million people in the US each year. Sleep disturbances are observed in both men and women, though prevalence rates often differ between the sexes. In general, research suggests that women more frequently report subjective complaints of insomnia, yet show better sleep than men when evaluated on objective measures of sleep. Men are more likely to be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea than women, though rates of obstructive sleep apnea increase after menopause and may be generally underdiagnosed in women. Although circadian rhythm disorders are equally prevalent in men and women, studies find that women typically have earlier bedtimes and exhibit altered temperature and melatonin rhythms relative to men. Lastly, movement disorders appear to be more prevalent in women than men, presumably due to higher rates of anemia and increased risks associated with pregnancy in women. Although gonadal hormones would be expected to play a significant role in the development and/or exacerbation of sleep disturbances, no causal link between these factors has been clearly established. In large part, the impact of hormones on sleep disturbances is significantly confounded by factors such as psychiatric, physical, and lifestyle concerns, which may play an equal or greater role in the development and/or exacerbation of sleep disturbances than do hormonal factors. Current standard of care for persons with sleep disorders includes use of psychological, pharmacologic, and/or medical device supported interventions. Hormonal-based treatments are not typically recommended given the potential for long-term adverse health effects. In sum, there is a substantial need for more comprehensive studies focused on elucidating the impact of hormones on sleep. Such studies should reveal sex-specific differences in sleep, which could lead to enhanced interventions for sex-specific sleep disturbances.
PubMed, Feb 1, 1980
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to barpress under a FL-300 sec schedule of food presentatio... more Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to barpress under a FL-300 sec schedule of food presentation until responding patterns were stable. The effects of the ketamine optical isomers (enantioners) on this schedule-controlled behavior were examined over a dose range of 3.75 to 60 mg/kg i.p. At doses of 15 mg/kg and above, (-)-ketamine increased rate of responding, with a maximum increase of about 3 times control rate. This effect was rate-dependent, being more marked at lower control rates. In contrast (+)-ketamine did not increase overall fixed-interval response rate at any dose, but decreased rate of responding in a rate-dependent fashion at doses of 30 mg/kg and above. Spontaneous locomotor activity was increased about equally by equimolar doses of both enantiomers.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, Oct 1, 1985
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were tested for wheelrunning following repeated injections of caffeine o... more Male Sprague-Dawley rats were tested for wheelrunning following repeated injections of caffeine or distilled water after varying amounts of experience with caffeine and wheelrunning. Rats experienced with caffeine in combination with wheelrunning ran significantly more than rats experienced only with caffeine or wheelrunning alone. Results suggest that caffeine's stimulant effects are greater when subjects are experienced with wheelrunning while under the influence of the drug.
Psychologia, Jun 1, 1988
Etude du role d'une ingestion de cafeine et de sa frequence de consommation anterieure sur de... more Etude du role d'une ingestion de cafeine et de sa frequence de consommation anterieure sur des mesures de la personnalite, du temps de reaction, de l'apprentissage, de la lecture et de l'ecriture chez 44 etudiants
PubMed, May 1, 1997
Male transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing the human placental growth hormone (GH) variant gene (hG... more Male transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing the human placental growth hormone (GH) variant gene (hGH-V) exhibit reproductive deficits in spite of normal testosterone levels and normal sperm counts. To evaluate the relationship of copulatory behaviors to fertility, we first measured mount, intromission, and ejaculation indices in 2-5-month-old mice (10 TG and 10 normal litter mate controls) during 1 hour tests with ovariectomized, estrogen-, and progesterone-primed females. After eight tests, each male was housed with three intact females for 27 consecutive days. Females were checked daily for vaginal plugs and sacrificed 14 days after insemination to determine the numbers of corpora lutea and live and dead fetuses. Relative to their normal siblings, TG mice mounted less often and intromitted sooner after the initial mount, made marginally more intromissions (with and without ejaculation), and were slower to ejaculate. In subsequent fertility tests, TG males inseminated fewer females and sired fewer live fetuses per insemination than non-TG controls. Across TG and normal males, the length of interval between initial mount and initial intromission was inversely correlated with the number of live offspring sired. This suggests that reduced fertility in hGH-V transgenic male mice may be related to altered copulatory behavior, including a rapid progression from first mount to first intromission.
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Papers by Charles Meliska