Understanding Sleep Disorders in Adults with Hypothalamic and Pituitary Damage An Observational Study Comparing Patients and Healthy Controls

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating sleep disorders in patients with hypothalamic and pituitary damage HPD, conditions that affect vital functions including sleep-wake cycles. The study aims to identify how common sleep disorders are in these patients, understand the role of oxytocin in sleep quality, and explore the underlying mechanisms associated with sleep problems in HPD. This multidisciplinary research combines neuroendocrinology, psychology, neurophysiology, neuroimaging, nuclear medicine, and neuro-ophthalmology to improve knowledge and treatment options for affected individuals. This observational study compares patients with HPD, some with vasopressin deficiency, to healthy controls matched by age, sex, and body mass index. Participants undergo objective sleep assessments including actigraphy, polysomnography, and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, as well as subjective sleep evaluations via questionnaires. Additional evaluations include brain imaging with MRI and PET-CT, ophthalmological exams, and hormone level testing from blood and urine samples. No drugs or interventions are administered during the study. Participants will be assessed over a period of up to three months, during which data on sleep quality, oxytocin and melatonin levels, brain structure and metabolism, and neuro-ophthalmological status are collected. Researchers will measure the prevalence of sleep disorders and examine brain and hormone abnormalities to understand their impact on health and quality of life in HPD patients. This comprehensive approach aims to identify new strategies for prevention and treatment of sleep disorders related to hypothalamic and pituitary damage.

Sleep Disorders in Hypothalamic and Pituitary Damage