The effects of biperiden on nap sleep after sleep deprivation in depressed patients.
Sixteen patients with a major depressive disorder were allowed to take a nap at 5 A.M. after a period of total sleep deprivation. The patients were randomly assigned to biperiden or placebo treatment prior to the nap to test the hypothesis that anticholinergic medication is capable of preventing a nap-related worsening of mood. Total sleep deprivation positively influenced mood for the whole group. Contrary to expectations, the rate of nap-related relapses of mood did not differ between placebo- and biperiden-treated individuals, and biperiden did not significantly suppress rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. There was only a tendency for lower REM time after administration of biperiden compared to placebo. This unexpected result may be due to a high cholinergic tone in the patient group investigated and a high REM propensity in the early morning hours. Studies with more selective M1/M2 receptor antagonists are necessary to clarify whether nap-related changes of mood can be prevented by anticholinergic blockade.
Dressing
H
H
Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Federal Republic of Germany.
Riemann
D
D
Gann
H
H
Berger
M
M
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D001712:Biperiden / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012890:Sleep; D012892:Sleep Deprivation
D001712:Biperiden