Absent Sleep Peak of Growth Hormone Release in Blind Subjects: Correlation with Sleep EEG Stages

Absence of the peak of plasma growth hormone levels normally seen following the onset of sleep was observed in five blind subjects. These subjects also displayed a decreased amount of slow wave sleep (stages III and IV) and an increase in time spent in combined stages I, II and rapid eye movement sleep. Insulin hypoglycemia produced a normal rise in plasma growth hormone levels in three subjects so tested.