Inter-individual differences after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) withdrawal in mild sleep apnoea patients, evaluated by their performance on a simulated driving task – A role for modafinil?

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study will examine the efficacy of modafinil to counteract possible daytime sleepiness after one night of CPAP withdrawal in long-term CPAP users. Sleep-wake activity on CPAP use will be assessed for 5 days using actigraphy. On the 5th night subjects will withdrew from CPAP treatment and use a nasal airflow device as a substitute. The following morning, subjects will report to the laboratory and received modafinil (200 mg). EEG will be assessed continuously and then a 30 min driving simulation task (STISIM TM) will be completed 2 hours post drug administration. After a washout period of 14 days, subjects will repeat the protocol, receiving the other study medication.