Differential effects of the new central adrenergic agonist modafinil and d-amphetamine on sleep and early morning behaviour in elderlies.
Modafinil (CRL 40476) is a new central alpha-adrenergic agonist with vigilance-promoting properties. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled sleep laboratory study its single-dose effects on sleep and early morning behaviour were investigated and compared with d-amphetamine. Ten elderly healthy volunteers (mean age: 68 years) spent 12 nights in the sleep laboratory: one adaptation night, one baseline night, five drug nights (100 mg and 200 mg modafinil; 10 mg and 20 mg d-amphetamine; placebo) and five subsequent washout nights. The drugs were administered orally in one week intervals at 10:00 p.m., and all-night somnopolygraphic investigations were performed between 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. A self-rating scale for sleep and awakening quality as well as psychometric tests were completed in the morning. d-amphetamine caused a dose-dependent impairment of sleep maintenance and sleep architecture, while modafinil did not. Thus, a significant reduction of total sleep time, REM-sleep and sleep stage 2 was seen after d-amphetamine when compared to placebo and 100 mg modafinil. Corresponding with these objective results, subjective sleep quality deteriorated significantly only after 20 mg d-amphetamine as compared to placebo. Morning investigations revealed an increase of CFF after 20 mg d-amphetamine. Pulse rate, evening and morning blood pressure remained unchanged. These findings suggest a different mode of action of the two compounds.
Saletu
B
B
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vienna, Austria.
Frey
R
R
Krupka
M
M
Anderer
P
P
Grünberger
J
J
Barbanoj
M J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077408:Modafinil; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D000077408:Modafinil; D003913:Dextroamphetamine