Pilocarpine, an orally active muscarinic cholinergic agonist, induces REM sleep and reduces delta sleep in normal volunteers

Abstract

The effect of oral pilocarpine, a direct-acting muscarinic, cholinergic agonist, on polygraphic sleep parameters was studied in 13 healthy male volunteers. Subjects received placebo and oral pilocarpine (25 mg) in a double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover design. Pilocarpine shortened the latency of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and increased total REM time, REM%, and the duration of the first REM period. In addition, it reduced Stage 4 sleep and Delta sleep. Pulse rate was not significantly changed during the first hour of darkness after administration of pilocarpine. Subjective sleep experience and the subjects' condition in the morning were not altered. These results suggest that pilocarpine has central effects (i.e., induction of REM sleep) that are similar to those of other centrally acting muscarinic cholinomimetic agents.