RESUMEN
This study was undertaken to determine whether the use of triazolam by narcoleptic patients leads to improvement of nighttime sleep or excessive sleepiness. Ten narcoleptic patients, 5 males and 5 females, with complaints of sleep disturbance and aged between 18 and 60 years, were assigned to a single-blind within-subject crossover-designed study comparing placebo with 0.25 mg triazolam. All subjects completed sleep questionnaires and underwent 6 nights of polysomnographic testing. Following an adaptation night, subjects received either triazolam or placebo for 2 nights. Objective tests of sleepiness (multiple sleep latency testing/maintenance of wakefulness test) were performed. Sleep efficiency and overall sleep quality were improved on all triazolam nights. Daytime excessive sleepiness was not reduced objectively after triazolam. This study demonstrates that the short-term use of triazolam improves nocturnal sleep quality in narcoleptics. Studies of long-term administration of triazolam are required to determine if the improvement of nocturnal sleep is maintained.
Asunto(s)
Ritmo Circadiano/efectos de los fármacos , Narcolepsia/tratamiento farmacológico , Fases del Sueño/efectos de los fármacos , Triazolam/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Nivel de Alerta/efectos de los fármacos , Esquema de Medicación , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Método Simple Ciego , Sueño REM/efectos de los fármacos , Vigilia/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Bright light has recently been shown to have phase-shifting effects on human circadian rhythms. In this study we applied this effect to 20 patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) who were unable to fall asleep at conventional clock times and had a problem staying alert in the morning. In a controlled treatment study, we found that 2 h of bright light exposure in the morning together with light restriction in the evening successfully phase advanced circadian rhythms of core body temperature and multiple sleep latencies in these patients. This finding corroborates the importance of light for entraining human circadian rhythms.
Asunto(s)
Ritmo Circadiano , Fototerapia/métodos , Trastornos del Sueño-Vigilia/terapia , Nivel de Alerta , Humanos , Tiempo de Reacción , Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño/terapia , Fases del SueñoRESUMEN
Continuous subcutaneous administration of triazolam, a benzodiazepine with short plasma half-life, for 10 days either decreased (31%, 2 mg/day) or increased (15%, 0.5 mg/day) radioligand binding to adenosine A2 receptors in the rat striatum. In a similar manner, we have shown previously that diazepam (5-10 mg/day), a benzodiazepine with a long plasma half-life attenuated radioligand binding to adenosine A2 receptors in the rat striatum by 45-25%.