Modafinil for the treatment of daytime sleepiness in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled polygraphic trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the therapeutic efficacy of modafinil in the treatment of increased daytime sleepiness in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).


METHODS
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study with two 2-week treatment blocks, separated by a 2-week washout phase.


METHODS
Tertiary Parkinson's disease care center and sleep laboratory at university hospital neurology department.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with idiopathic PD and daytime sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness score (ESS) 10 or more).


METHODS
Administration of placebo or modafinil as a single morning dose in a randomized crossover order. The modafinil dose was 100 mg in the first, and 200 mg in the second treatment week.


RESULTS
At baseline and at the end of each treatment block, sleepiness was evaluated using subjective (perceived sleepiness with the ESS) and objective measures (maintenance of wakefulness test). Twelve patients completed the study (9 male, 3 female; mean age 65.0 +/- 7.6 years, mean disease duration 6.8 +/- 4.1 years). Epworth scores were significantly improved with modafinil (3.42 +/- 3.90) compared to placebo (0.83 +/- 1.99; p = 0.011). Latency to sleep in the maintenance of wakefulness test was not significantly altered by modafinil treatment: 10.9 (3-40)/15.1 (2.5-40) minutes before/after placebo and 12 (2.6-40)/17.8 (4.2-40) minutes before/after modafinil (p = 0.139) [data given as mean +/- standard deviation or median (range)].


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that modafinil improves daytime sleepiness in PD patients, at least on a subjective or behavioral level. Modafinil treatment may be considered for EDS in PD patients, in whom otherwise treatable causes of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) are absent.
Högl
B
B
Department of Neurology, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Saletu
M
M
Brandauer
E
E
Glatzl
S
S
Frauscher
B
B
Seppi
K
K
Ulmer
H
H
Wenning
G
G
Poewe
W
W
D000368:Aged; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077408:Modafinil; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D017286:Polysomnography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000077408:Modafinil