Ritanserin, a serotonin-2 receptor antagonist, improves ultradian sleep rhythmicity in young poor sleepers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect on sleep electroencephalographic (EEG) activity of ritanserin, a serotonin-2 (5-HT2) receptor antagonist in young poor sleepers.


METHODS
Eight male subjects underwent two randomized night studies after receiving either a placebo or 5 mg ritanserin administered in the morning. The overnight variations in the delta (0.5-4.0 Hz) and sigma (12.25-15.0 Hz) frequency bands were characterized using a peak analysis which provided a quantitative evaluation of the time-courses in EEG activity.


RESULTS
In subjects under ritanserin, slow wave sleep duration and the number of non-rapid eye movement (NREM)-REM sleep cycles were significantly enhanced (P<0.01). The number of peaks in delta activity occurring in the normal 80-120 min range was significantly (P<0.05) increased. Using a delta peak analysis, 4 periods containing or not a significant peak were identified in each subject. A significant increase in delta activity was observed in the areas under the averaged curves during the second and the third periods (P<0.05), while sigma activity decreased under ritanserin during the first, second and third periods (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that ritanserin increases delta activity, possibly by opposing the inhibitory control of 5-HT2 receptor family. It restores sleep ultradian rhythmicity and improves sleep quality in young poor sleepers.
Viola
Antoine U
AU
Laboratoire des Régulations Physiologiques et des Rythmes Biologiques chez l'Homme, Institut de Physiologie, 4, rue Kirschleger, 67085 Cedex, Strasbourg, France. antoine.viola@medicine.u-strasbg.fr
Brandenberger
Gabrielle
G
Toussaint
Michel
M
Bouhours
Philippe
P
Paul Macher
Jean
J
Luthringer
Remy
R
D000204:Activity Cycles / Q000187:drug effects*; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D016713:Ritanserin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D016713:Ritanserin