Sleep, Memory
Conditions
Keywords
sleep, memory, hypnotics, zaleplon, zolpidem, Sonata, Ambien, Hypnotics and Sedatives, Polysomnography, Monitoring, sleep
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of two hypnotic medications, zolpidem extended release and zaleplon, on memory. It is expected that a hypnotic with shorter drug duration will allow greater memory consolidation than a hypnotic with longer drug duration.
Detailed description
A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that sleep promotes memory consolidation in healthy individuals. However, little research has been conducted regarding the effect of hypnotics on sleep-dependent memory. One study found that zopiclone (7.5 mg), but not brotizolam (0.25 mg), impaired sleep-dependent memory consolidation in normal sleepers. Another study reported significant impairment of sleep-dependent memory on a motor task with triazolam (0.375 mg), but not with zolpidem immediate release (10 mg). These studies provide some evidence that sedative-hypnotic drugs may impair sleep-dependent memory consolidation, but further investigation is clearly needed in this area. Because hypnotics are commonly prescribed for insomnia, it is important to determine if there is a significant risk of impairment in sleep-dependent memory consolidation associated with these medications. Further, investigation of alternative doses and drug regimens upon memory consolidation appears warranted. The purpose of the current study is to determine the effect of two hypnotic medications on sleep-dependent memory consolidation in normal sleepers. Zolpidem extended release, which will be active for most of the sleep period when administered at bedtime, will be compared to zaleplon, which will be active for half of the sleep period when administered in the middle of the night. This comparison allows us to address the question of whether a few hours of drug-free sleep results in better memory consolidation than sleep with drug throughout the night.
Interventions
DRUGzaleplon
10 mg
DRUGzolpidem extended release
12.5 mg
DRUGbedtime placebo
placebo
DRUGmiddle of the night placebo
placebo
Sponsors
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 18 to 50 years of age * no sleep complaints or problems * good sleep quality per questionnaire * sufficient time in bed each night
Exclusion criteria
* any clinically significant unstable medical condition * recent psychiatric disorder * prior diagnosis or symptoms of a sleep disorder * recent history of substance abuse * recent use of prescription hypnotic medication or over-the-counter sleep aid * recent use of psychotropic medication * history of adverse reaction to benzodiazepines * body mass index \> 36 * currently pregnant or nursing * currently working rotating or night shift * consumption of \> 700 mg per day of xanthine-containing food or beverages * consumption of \> 14 units of alcohol per week * smoke \> 1 pack of cigarettes per day, use of chewing tobacco more than 3 times per day, or unable to refrain from smoking or chewing without distress or discomfort while in the sleep laboratory
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | 8 timepoints: 4 evenings and 4 mornings | Two memory tasks will be used to assess memory. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed