Treatment of coexistent night-terrors and somnambulism in adults with imipramine and diazepam.

Abstract

Night-terrors and somnambulism are comparatively rare in adults and are most often associated with stage 4 sleep, especially delta activity. Although the data are limited, reports suggest that imipramine, which may control nocturnal enuresis, a stage 4 sleep disorder, and diazepam, which suppresses stage 4 sleep, may effectively treat the condition. This paper describes two patients with night-terrors and somnambulism who responded to imipramine but not to diazepam. Possible mechanisms of diazepam and imipramine, including effects on stage 4 sleep and pervasive anxiolytic actions, are discussed.

• Authors: A J Cooper
• Journal: The Journal of clinical psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry) Vol. 48 Issue 5 Pg. 209-10 (May 1987) ISSN: 0160-6689 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3571176 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Imipramine
• Diazepam

Topics

• Adult
• Diazepam (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Humans
• Imipramine (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Sleep Wake Disorders (complications, drug therapy)
• Somnambulism (complications, drug therapy)