Hypnotics of the future

Today, there is a lock of hypnotics which promote sleep in a similar fashio n as sleep deprivation. In contrast to the effects of sleep deprivation cer tain hypnotics e.g. benzodiazepines diminish slow wove sleep (SWS) and EEG slow wave activity. Studies from the authors' laboratories suggest that thr ee groups of substances may be good candidates for hypnotics of the future. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) enhances SWS and growth hormone se cretion and blunts cortisol after repetitive nocturnal iv administration to healthy young men. There is a reciprocal interaction of GHRH and corticotr opin-releasing hormone (CRH). Therefore the efficacy of GHRH is reduced in the elderly in depressed patients and in women compared to men. Peptidomime tics related to GHRH may be used as hypnotics. Pregnenolone is one of the n euroactive steroids which ore ligands of the GABA(A), receptor. In normal c ontrols pregnenolone promotes SWS, in rats it enhances slow wave activity T HIP is on analogue of GABA. In contrast to benzodiazepines THIP promotes SW S in normal controls and in rots. REM sleep in not effected by THIP.