Abstract
Preclinical data suggest that the imidazo-diazepinone derivative bretazenil (Ro 16-6028) has anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties with only weak sedative effects. We examined the influence of oral administration of 1 mg bretazenil on the sleep EEG and the concomitant nocturnal secretion of cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin in ten healthy young men. After bretazenil we found a significant increase in stage 2 sleep and a significant reduction in stage 3 sleep. REM latency was prolonged. Spectral analysis of sleep-EEG power revealed a decrease in delta and in theta power and an increase in sigma power. We found no significant influence on sleep onset latency or on intermittent wakefulness. Bretazenil prompted a significant decrease in cortisol secretion and a significant increase in prolactin release. It had no major influence on growth hormone secretion.
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Guldner, J., Trachsel, L., Kratschmayr, C. et al. Bretazenil modulates sleep EEG and nocturnal hormone secretion in normal men. Psychopharmacology 122, 115–121 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02246085
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02246085