*****ARCTIC MEDICAL RESEARCH*****
Levine ME Milliron AN Duffy LK
Diurnal and seasonal rhythms of melatonin, cortisol and
testosterone in interior Alaska.
In: Arctic Med Res (1994 Jan) 53(1):25-34
The diurnal variations in the secretory patterns of melatonin,
cortisol and testosterone were studied in a Fairbanks, Alaska
population who were unadapted to the extreme light variations of
the North. statistically significant variations in hormonal
levels were found inboth diurnal and seasonal rhythms. Prominent
findings included unusually high levels of cortisol at 0200 and
0800 in the fall and elevated daytime levels (1030) of melatonin
in the winter. These results indicate a delayed phase secretory
pattern when compared to the normal pattern at lower latitudes.
These findings imply possible underlying physioogical causes for
the high incidence of behavior disorders such as depression and
phase secretory pattern when compared to the normal pattern
at lower latitudes. These findings imply possible underlying
physiological causes for the high incidence of behavior disorders
such as depression and alcoholism in Alaska and circumpolar
environments in general.
--
Albert Milliron
mindbend2 at aol.com
