POLYGRAPHIC SLEEP RECORDINGS BEFORE AND AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF FLUNITRAZEPAM

By means of polygraphic sleep recordings, neurologic-psychologic investigation and questionnaires on subjective feeling, 10 patients aged 22-40 yr (mean: 29 yr), who suffered from sleep disorders, were examined over a period of 10 consecutive nights. On the first 3 evenings a placebo was given, then 2 mg of flunitrazepam for the ensuing 3 nights and a placebo again for the last 3 nights. Latency times until the patients fell asleep and up to the first deep sleep were reduced significantly by the active preparation. Latency times up to the first REM[rapid eye movement]-phase were prolonged. The frequency of nocturnal awakenings was lessened significantly. Duration of wakefulness after having woken during the night decreased. Duration of wakefulness during the total night was reduced; deeper sleep stages, such as stage III and stage IV were prolonged. Duration of the REM phases was reduced slightly. This reduction was not significant. The preparation showed a clear effect and a placebo effect was excluded. Flunitrazepam showed different effects from other sleep medication.