An analysis of the effect of glutethimide on REM density

Abstract

A non barbiturate hypnotic, glutethimide (Doriden), was administered to nine normal Ss in either 500 or 1000 mg doses just prior to their bedtime. Various measures of eye movement density during subsequent rapid eye movement (REM) sleep periods showed significant decreases from baseline to drug nights, and increases from baseline and drug nights to drug withdrawal nights. The hypothesis that decreases and increases in the percentage of stage REM sleep (as a function of glutethimide administration and withdrawal, respectively) are accompanied by concomitant decreases and increases in REM densities was supported.