Differential effects of amitriptyline and of zimelidine on the sleep electroencephalogram of depressed patients.
The effects of amitriptyline (n = 14) or zimelidine (n = 13) on the sleep electroencephalogram of hospitalized depressed patients were assessed in a double-blind protocol involving 28 days of active dosing. Zimelidine induced no immediate improvement in sleep continuity, and even after 3 wk on zimelidine subjects tended to have longer sleep latency, more awakenings, and lighter non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than before taking the drug. Zimelidine did, however, induce a rapid and persistent alteration of sleep architecture and selected REM measures. REM sleep, which was suppressed over the first two nights on zimelidine, was maximally suppressed after 1 wk, but by 3 wk there was some tolerance for selected REM measures. While zimelidine induced none of the sedative effects of amitriptyline, both were equivalent in their REM-suppressant effects. These findings are discussed in terms of the differences in uptake blockade and anticholinergic potency in these two drugs.
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects; D015031:Zimeldine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000639:Amitriptyline; D015031:Zimeldine