Olanzapine acute administration in schizophrenic patients increases delta sleep and sleep efficiency.
BACKGROUND
A delta sleep deficit has been observed in schizophrenic patients. Olanzapine is a novel atypical antipsychotic agent with affinity at dopaminergic, serotonergic, muscarinic, adrenergic and histaminergic binding sites. The present study was designed to analyze a sleep promoting effect reported for olanzapine.


METHODS
Twenty schizophrenic patients (DSM-IV) were studied, who were drug free and inpatients. Patients slept for 5 consecutive nights in the sleep unit as follows: one acclimatization night; two baseline nights (the first for sleep disorder screenings); and two olanzapine nights (10 mg olanzapine, one hour before sleep onset).


RESULTS
Sleep continuity variables and total sleep time showed an overall improvement with olanzapine. Waking time was reduced since the first night of olanzapine administration. The main sleep architecture changes were: reduction in sleep stage 1, while sleep stage 2 and delta were significantly enhanced. Rapid eye movement density was also increased by the second olanzapine night.


CONCLUSIONS
Total sleep improvement was due to the increase in sleep stages 2 and delta sleep. This may be related to serotonergic antagonistic properties of olanzapine. Olanzapine seems to have a sleep promoting effect in schizophrenic patients.
Research Service, Hospital Psiquiatrico Fray Bernardino Alvarez Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico.
R J
RJ
Salin-Pascual
M
M
Herrera-Estrella
L
L
Galicia-Polo
M R
MR
Laurrabaquio
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D000077152:Olanzapine