Milagros Merino Andreu

Taking melatonin supplements to treat insomnia for more than a year is associated with an increased risk of heart failure—including an increase in hospitalisations and mortality—within five years of use, according to a study presented at a conference of the American Heart Association. The study compared a group of 65,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia who had a prescription for melatonin with another group who did not have a prescription for this supplement.

Narcolepsy type 1 is a sleep disorder characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy - sudden loss of muscle tone. Existing treatments are based on palliation of symptoms, with moderate success. Now, an international phase 2 clinical trial, involving CEU San Pablo University and other Spanish centres, published in the journal NEJM, shows the results of a new drug targeting the cause of the disorder. Overall, the benefits appear superior and no serious adverse effects were observed. According to the authors, ‘the results are promising’ and represent ‘a very significant impact on the quality of life of these patients’.

Research published in the journal Hypertension has found an association between frequent naps and an increased risk of high blood pressure and stroke.