EFFECTS OF DEXAMETHASONE ON SLEEP

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute systemi c corticosteroid administration on sleep structure in healthy individu als. We conducted a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-con trolled cross-over study of the effects of dexamethasone, 3 mg every e ight hours for 48 hr on the sleep architecture of six normal volunteer s (mean age 28 years, five males and one female). The subjects were pa rticipants blood pressure. Each subject was studied with a full polyso mnogram on two successive nights when receiving either placebo or dexa methasone. Only the second night was used for analysis. Placebo and de xamethasone periods were separated by at least two weeks. There were s ignificant increases in the REM latency, percent time spent awake and percent time spent in slow wave sleep in subjects taking dexamethasone when compared to their sleep while laking placebo. There were also si gnificant decreases in the percent time spent in REM and the number of REM periods while on dexamethasone. We conclude that pharmacologic do seas of dexamethasone alter sleep architecture in healthy humans.