Pharmacopsychiatry 2011; 44(1): 1-14
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1267978
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Chronic Insomnia: Clinical and Research Challenges – An Agenda

D. Riemann1 , K. Spiegelhalder1 , C. Espie2 , T. Pollmächer3 , D. Léger4 , C. Bassetti5 , E. van Someren6
  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2University of Glasgow Sleep Center, Section of Psychological Medicine, Sackler Institute of Psychobiological Research, Faculty of Medicine, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK
  • 3Center for Mental Health of the Clinical Center of Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt, Germany
  • 4Université Paris Descartes, APHP, Centre du Sommeil et de la Vigilance de l’Hôtel Dieu, Paris, France
  • 5Department of Neurology of the University of Zürich & Neurocenter (EOC) of Southern Switzerland, Lugano, Switzerland
  • 6Department of Sleep and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

received 18.05.2010 revised 01.09.2010

accepted 02.09.2010

Publikationsdatum:
15. Dezember 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Chronic insomnia afflicts up to 10% of the population in Western industrialized countries. It is characterized by delayed sleep onset, problems in maintaining sleep, early morning awakening or the feeling of non-restorative sleep coupled with significant daytime impairments on an emotional, social or professional level. It can occur as a co-morbid condition in any other medical or mental disorder, but also as a primary condition. Within the last decade new diagnostic and differential diagnostic approaches have been suggested that enhance diagnostic precision. Epidemiological data and data relating to the health care and cost situation of chronic insomnia suggest a huge burden for society. Chronic insomnia leads to a clear-cut increased risk for psychopathology (i. e., affective disorders) and probably also for cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction. The pathophysiology of the condition is still poorly understood and will profit from integrating modern neuroscientific approaches (animal studies, molecular biology, neuroimaging, neurophysiology, etc.). Current treatment strategies are mainly based on cognitive behavioural interventions (CBT-I) and hypnotic treatment with benzodiazepine receptor agonists and sedating antidepressants. Although the effectiveness of these treatments has been clearly demonstrated, a substantial proportion of patients proves to be treatment-resistant or profits only poorly. The question of long-term pharmaceutical treatment of chronic insomnia, at least in Europe, is unresolved and urgently needs answers. Novel rational treatment avenues require clues on causes and mechanisms from integrated neuroscientific approaches. The important issues concerning insomnia treatment in the future especially in Europe will be reviewed and discussed critically.

References

Correspondence

D. RiemannPhD 

Department of Psychiatry and

Psychotherapy

University Hospital of Freiburg

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79104 Freiburg

Germany

Telefon: +49/761/270 6919

Fax: +49/761/270 6523

eMail: dieter.riemann@uniklinik-freiburg.de