O. Larrosa, Y. D. Llave, S. Barrio
May 1, 2001
Citations
1
Influential Citations
73
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Sleep
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To investigate potential stimulant and anticataplectic effects of 10 mg reboxetine in patients diagnosed with narcolepsy. DESIGN 12 patients were treated for a 2-week period with 10 mg reboxetine under open conditions. The dosage of reboxetine was gradually increased between Day 1 and Day 9. Outcome parameters consisted of nightime polysomnography (PSG), Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Visual Analog Scale for Sleepiness (VAS), Ullanlinna Narcolepsy Scale (UNS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). SETTING Sleep Disorders Clinic at a University Hospital. PATIENTS 12 patients meeting ICSD-criteria for narcolepsy. INTERVENTIONS Pharmacological treatment with reboxetine. RESULTS Following treatment for two-weeks, a significant improvement in daytime sleepiness could be observed, as reflected by a mean decrease of 48.6% on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and a mean increase of 54.7% in sleep latency on the MSLT. Furthermore, a significant reduction in the cataplexy subscore of the Ullanlinna Narcolepsy Scale and in REM-sleep was found. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that reboxetine exerts stimulant and anticataplectic effects in narcolepsy. Contrary to previous thinking, by which stimulant action would require dopaminergic facilitation, noradrenergic mechanisms might be relevant to the control of wakefulness.