Effect of a new thienodiazepine (We-941) on sleep patterns of normal and insomniac subjects

Abstract

The effect of a new thienodiazepine We-941 (0.5 mg, oral) on sleep patterns of normal and insomniac subjects was quantitatively determined and statistically compared with (a) the sleep patterns obtained under base line conditions and with placebo in 10 normal subjects; (b) with those obtained under initial and final placebo in a series of 8 insomniac subjects; and (c) with those obtained with flurazepam (30 mg, oral) in another series of 8 insomniac subjects. 1. 1. The spontaneous arousal episodes shown by some normal subjects under base line conditions and with placebo were abolished by We-941. However, no significant differences in wakefulness-sleep parameters were found in normal subjects under We-941 compared with base line or placebo. 2. 2. The duration of wakefulness and number of arousal episodes were decreased by We-941 which increased the duration of sleep, decreased the latency of slow wave sleep I and II and increased the duration of slow wave sleep III. These results were significantly different to initial, but not to final, placebos in the same insomniac subjects. Flurazepam decreased the duration of wakefulness and number of arousal episodes and increased the duration of sleep and duration of rapid eye movement sleep. These results were significantly different from initial, but not from final, placebos in the same insomniac subjects. 3. 3. No significant differences were found between the effects of We-941 and flurazepam on slow wave sleep III and rapid eye movement sleep in different insomniac subjects.