Evaluation of salivary melatonin measurements for Dim Light Melatonin Onset calculations in patients with possible sleep-wake rhythm disorders

Background: Dim Light Melatonin Onset (DLMO) can be calculated within a 5-point partial melatonin curve in saliva collected at home. We retrospectively analyzed the patient melatonin measurements sample size of the year 2008 to evaluate these DLMO calculations and studied the correlation between diary or polysomnography (PSG) sleep onset and DLMO. Methods: Patients completed an online questionnaire. If this questionnaire pointed to a possible Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD), saliva collection devices were sent to the patient. Collection occurred at 5 consecutive hours. Melatonin concentration was measured with a radioimmunoassay and DLMO was defined as the time at which the melatonin concentration in saliva reaches 4 pg/mL. Sleep onset time was retrieved from an online one-week sleep diary and/or one-night PSG. Results: A total of 1848 diagnostic 5-point curves were obtained. DLMO could be determined in 76.2% (n = 1408). DLMO significantly differed between different age groups and increased with age. Pearson correlations (r) between DLMO and sleep onset measured with PSG or with a diary were 0.514 (p = <0.001, n = 54) and 0.653 (p = 0.002, n = 20) respectively. Conclusion: DLMO can be reliably measured in saliva that is conveniently collected at home. DLMO correlates moderately with sleep onset. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Animal-assisted intervention for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic literature review

The inclusion of animals in therapeutic activities, known as animal-assisted intervention (AAI), has been suggested as a treatment practice for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This paper presents a systematic review of the empirical research on AAI for ASD. Fourteen studies published in peer-reviewed journals qualified for inclusion. The presentation of AAI was highly variable across the studies. Reported outcomes included improvements for multiple areas of functioning known to be impaired in ASD, namely increased social interaction and communication as well as decreased problem behaviors, autistic severity, and stress. Yet despite unanimously positive outcomes, most studies were limited by many methodological weaknesses. This review demonstrates that there is preliminary "proof of concept" of AAI for ASD and highlights the need for further, more rigorous research