Declining melatonin levels and older people. How old is old

摘要: OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether melatonin levels in older cohorts within the ‘aged’ population were significantly lower than younger individuals and hence point a possible confound cross-sectional studies which group over 55 one category. SETTING AND DESIGN: Melatonin 35 North Queensland residents years age living an aged-care facility, retirement village or general community compared across three groups. METHODS: Subjects ten 56–65 year olds, eighteen 66–75 olds seven over-75 olds. Information obtained on sleep, awakening, medical conditions medications, with subsequent exclusion those known and/or medications. collected by salivary samples at 2200 hours concentrations determined immunoassay. RESULTS: Mean (p=.03) ‘oldest’ (over 75 yrs) ‘youngest’ (56–65 group. MAIN FINDINGS: results preliminary indicate that population, appear decline age. CONCLUSIONS: Future ageing may benefit from longitudinal approach, subjects sampled time.