Conventional and power spectrum analysis of the effects of zolpidem on sleep EEG in patients with chronic primary insomnia.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was 1) to assess the effect of zolpidem or a placebo on sleep in two groups of insomniac patients with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe chronic primary insomnia and 2) to determine the effect of zolpidem on sleep structure using spectral analysis.

DESIGN:

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING:

Sleep laboratory of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the Clinics Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS:

12 female outpatients with chronic primary insomnia.

INTERVENTIONS:

Zolpidem was given at a daily dose of 10 mg for 15 nights.

RESULTS:

The hypnotic drug reduced sleep latency and waking time after sleep onset, and increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency. Values corresponding to visually scored slow wave sleep (stage 3 and 4) showed no significant changes. All-night spectral analysis of the EEG revealed that power density in NREM sleep was significantly increased in the low frequency band (0.25-1.0 Hz) in the zolpidem group during the first 2-h interval.

CONCLUSIONS:

In agreement with previous findings obtained in patients with chronic primary insomnia, zolpidem significantly improved sleep induction and maintenance. Moreover, zolpidem increased power density in the 0.25-1.0 Hz band during short-term and intermediate-term treatment. Nevertheless, other frequency bands in the delta range showed a relative decrease which was not statistically significant.

• Authors: J M Monti, F Alvariño, D Monti
• Journal: Sleep (Sleep) Vol. 23 Issue 8 Pg. 1075-84 (Dec 15 2000) ISSN: 0161-8105 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11145322 (Publication Type: Clinical Conference, Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Pyridines
• Zolpidem

Topics

• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Brain (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Electroencephalography
• Female
• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives (therapeutic use)
• Pyridines (therapeutic use)
• Reaction Time (drug effects, physiology)
• Sleep (drug effects, physiology)
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Wakefulness (drug effects, physiology)
• Zolpidem