Effects of Triazolam on Performance and Sleep in a Model of Transient Insomnia

Abstract

Forty-nine healthy male volunteers were each given either a placebo or one of three clinically used doses of triazolam (0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, or 0.5 mg) after viewing a film previously demonstrated to increase autonomic arousal. Subjects then attempted to sleep in an environment analogous to that experienced by air travelers. Increased duration and continuity of sleep were associated with the 0.5 mg dose of triazolam. That dose reduced the speed of performing several psychornotor tasks and impaired memory consolidation 90 min after drug administration. Except for memory tasks, accuracy of performance was not affected by any drug dose at any time, and those deficits found at 90 min postdrug intake were not evident at 6 hr or later after drug administration.