Performance following a sudden awakening from daytime nap induced by zaleplon.
BACKGROUND
Zaleplon appears to be a prime candidate for assisting individuals in obtaining sleep in situations not conducive to rest (i.e., a short period during the day). However, should an early unexpected awakening and return to duty be required, the effect on performance is not known.


OBJECTIVE
Zaleplon (10 mg) would negatively affect human performance for some duration, compared with placebo, after a sudden awakening from a short period (1 h) of daytime sleep.


METHODS
There were 16 participants, 8 men and 8 women, who volunteered to participate in this study. The study was conducted using a counterbalanced, double-blind, repeated measures design. At 1 h prior to drug administration, and at each of 7 h postdrug, performance measures (cognition, memory, balance, and strength) and subjective symptom reports were recorded.


RESULTS
Zaleplon had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) negative impact on balance through the first 2 h postdose when compared with placebo. In addition, symptoms related to "drowsiness" were statistically more prevalent under zaleplon than under placebo through the first 3 h postdrug. Of the eight measures of cognitive performance, six were significantly negatively impacted in the zaleplon condition through 2 h postdose when compared with placebo, with one remaining significantly degraded through 3 h postdose. Zaleplon also had a significantly negative impact on memory at 1 h and 4 h postdose.


CONCLUSIONS
Zaleplon (10 mg), when used as a daytime sleep aid, causes drowsiness (and related symptoms) up to 3 h postdose, and may impact task performance, especially more complex tasks, for at least 2-3 h postdose.
Whitmore
Jeffrey N
JN
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/HEPM), Warfighter Fatigue Countermeasures, Brooks City-Base, TX 78235-5105, USA. jeff.whitmore@brooks.af.mil
Fischer
Joseph R
JR
Barton
Emily C
EC
Storm
William F
WF
D000081:Acetamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001359:Aviation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D017286:Polysomnography; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects*; D000078329:Workforce
D000081:Acetamides; D011743:Pyrimidines; C085665:zaleplon