Effects of dexamethasone on sleep.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute systemic corticosteroid administration on sleep structure in healthy individuals. We conducted a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study of the effects of dexamethasone, 3 mg every eight hours for 48 hr on the sleep architecture of six normal volunteers (mean age 28 years, five males and one female). The subjects were participants blood pressure. Each subject was studied with a full polysomnogram on two successive nights when receiving either placebo or dexamethasone. Only the second night was used for analysis. Placebo and dexamethasone periods were separated by at least two weeks. There were significant increases in the REM latency, percent time spent awake and percent time spent in slow wave sleep in subjects taking dexamethasone when compared to their sleep while taking placebo. There were also significant decreases in the percent time spent in REM and the number of REM periods while on dexamethasone. We conclude that pharmacologic doseas of dexamethasone alter sleep architecture in healthy humans.
Moser
N J
NJ
College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.
Phillips
B A
BA
Guthrie
G
G
Barnett
G
G
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone