Modafinil for excessive daytime sleepiness in myotonic dystrophy.
The authors conducted an open-label trial of modafinil for excessive daytime sleepiness in myotonic dystrophy. Eleven patients were evaluated: two were not treated because of obstructive sleep apnea, and nine received 200 to 400 mg modafinil/day for an average of 16.4 weeks. There were no major side effects. Average sleep latency as measured by the Multiple Sleep Latency Test increased from 7.3 to 22.7 minutes ( p = 0.00013), and average Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from 13.25 to 7.75 (p = 0.01028). Modafinil shows evidence of effectiveness for excessive daytime somnolence in myotonic dystrophy and should be investigated further.
Damian
M S
MS
Department of Neurology, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany. damian@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de
Gerlach
A
A
Schmidt
F
F
Lehmann
E
E
Reichmann
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077408:Modafinil; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000150:complications*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000077408:Modafinil