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Circadian distribution of rest/activity in narcoleptic and control dogs: assessment with ambulatory activity monitoring
Author(s) -
NISHINO S,
TAFTI M,
SAMPATHKUMARAN R,
DEMENT W,
MIGNOT E
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of sleep research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2869
pISSN - 0962-1105
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2869.1997.00040.x
Subject(s) - circadian rhythm , asymptomatic , ambulatory , medicine , non rapid eye movement sleep , morning , excessive daytime sleepiness , cataplexy , sleep (system call) , sleep disorder , narcolepsy , audiology , psychology , anesthesia , eye movement , modafinil , insomnia , psychiatry , ophthalmology , computer science , operating system
Like human narcoleptics, narcoleptic dogs display cataplexy, fragmented sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. Cataplexy in dogs can easily be quantified using a simple behavioural bioassay, the Food Elicited Cataplexy Test. In contrast, daytime sleepiness and fragmented sleep are more difficult to measure, as long‐term, labour‐intensive polygraphic recordings in surgically‐implanted animals are needed. In the current study, 24‐h rest/activity patterns in genetically narcoleptic, asymptomatic heterozygous and control Dobermans were compared using small sized ambulatory activity monitoring devices under 12‐h light/dark conditions. Control and heterozygous dogs were found to be more active during the light period than during the dark period, thus demonstrating a clear 24‐h rest/activity cycle. In contrast, narcoleptic dogs were relatively inactive during the light period and did not show a clear rest/activity pattern, a result similar to that of human narcoleptics. Considering the fact that narcoleptic dogs show shorter sleep latency and sleep significantly more during the daytime than control dogs, the decrease in activity in narcoleptic dogs during the daytime is most likely a reflection of increased daytime napping in these animals. Ambulatory activity monitoring may be a useful non‐invasive method for future pharmacological and developmental studies in the narcoleptic canine model.