THE EFFECT OF MIDAZOLAM ON TRANSIENT INSOMNIA

We have assessed the effect of midazolam on sleep in a model of transi ent insomnia in healthy adults using polysomnographic recordings. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (plac ebo or midazolam 7.5 or 15 mg) and spent a single night in the sleep l aboratory. Midazolam or placebo were given double-blind immediately be fore turning off the lights. Midazolam 15 mg was effective in inducing sleep, while 7.5 mg and 15 mg produced improvement in the maintenance of sleep. Subjectively, sleep latency and the number of awakenings we re reduced dose-dependently. Midazolam did not impair psychomotor perf ormance on the morning after administration.