The Effect of a New Benzodiazepine on the Polygraphically Monitored Sleep of Normal Volunteers

Abstract
All-night sleep was polygraphically monitored from 10 normal volunteers who took placebo and 3 dosage levels of a new benzodiazepine hypnotic, SCH 16134 [7-chloro-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-5-(o-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-thione] in a double-blind, crossover design. All dosages of the drug decreased the time to fall asleep, and the (2) highest dosages also decreased interspersed wakefulness. REM [rapid eye movement] sleep was suppressed, but slow-wave sleep was not affected. The subjective quality of sleep was improved by the new hypnotic. One subject reported that he felt lethargic the day after the largest dose.