ACTION OF BROMAZEPAM ON SLEEP OF CHILDREN WITH NIGHT TERRORS .1. SLEEP ORGANIZATION AND HEART-RATE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 3  (4) , 247-258
Abstract
Bromazepan [an anxiolytic of the benzodiazepine group] was administered in a single 1.5-mg dose 0.5 h before bedtime to study its short-term action and the effect of its discontinuation on the sleep of 6 children suffering from night terrors. On the 3rd night of the drug''s administration, a statistically significant reduction in slow-wave sleep was observed which was maintained after the drug had been discontinued. The other sleep parameters were not significantly affected, although a slight increase in REM [rapid eye movement] sleep was seen after discontinuation of bromazepam, with a statistically significant increase in the 2nd third of the night on the first 2 nights off medication. A comparison of the individual nights yielded no significant change in heart rate, although certain internal changes were observed during the 2nd night on medication and during the nights off medication. These changes can be explained by the changing relationship between cardiac variability and sleep organization. There were insufficient episodes of night terror during the short duration of the study to allow for any conclusions on the effect of the drug on this aspect.

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