The 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride is not associated with alterations in sleep spindles in men referred for polysomnography.
OBJECTIVE
Endogenous neurosteroids that potentiate the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA ) receptor are thought to enhance the generation of sleep spindles. This study tested the hypothesis that the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride, an agent associated with reductions in neurosteroids, would be associated with reduced sleep spindles in men referred for polysomnography.


METHODS
Spectral analysis and spindle waveform detection were performed on electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep data in the 11-16 Hz sigma band, as well as several subranges, from 27 men taking finasteride and 27 matched comparison patients (ages 18 to 81 years).


RESULTS
No significant differences between groups were observed for spectral power or sleep spindle morphology measures, including spindle density, amplitude, duration, and integrated spindle activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to our hypothesis, these findings demonstrate that finasteride is not associated with alterations in sleep spindle range activity or spindle morphology parameters.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.|Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Michael R
MR
Goldstein
Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Jesse D
JD
Cook
Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
David T
DT
Plante
D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004569:Electroencephalography; D018120:Finasteride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride
5α-reductase inhibitor; finasteride; neurosteroid; sleep spindle