Abstract
In order to test the hypothesis that serotonergic mechanisms inhibit REM sleep via a 5HT1A receptor, we administered placebo and ipsapirone (10 and 20 mg by mouth 15 min before bedtime) to ten normal volunteers in a double blind fashion. Ipsapirone is a relatively selective 5HT1A receptor agonist. As predicted, ipsapirone prolonged REM latency and Mean Latency to Eye Movements (M-LEM), a measure of time between onset of REM sleep and the first eye movement of the REM period, and REM% at both doses compared with placebo. It also reduced sleep efficiency and total REM sleep time at the highest dose. These results support the hypothesis that systemic stimulation of 5HT1A receptors prolong REM latency and inhibit REM sleep.
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Supported in part by a grant from the General Clinical Research Centers Program, MO1 RR00827, of the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health; UCSD Mental Health Clinical Research Center (MH30914), San Diego Veterans A¤airs Medical Center Research Service and UCSD Fellowship in Clinical Psychopharmacology and Psychobiology (MH18399), and a Travel Award from the Upjohn Company to W.J.
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Gillin, J.C., Jernajczyk, W., Valladares-Neto, D.d.C. et al. Inhibition of REM sleep by ipsapirone, A 5HT1A agonist, in normal volunteers. Psychopharmacology 116, 433–436 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247474
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247474