Effect of three caffeine doses on plasma catecholamines and alertness during prolonged wakefulness

Objective: Determine the relationship between caffeine, catecholamines, and alertness during prolonged wakefulness. Methods: Following 49 h of prolonged wakefulness, each of 50 healthy males (18-32 years) orally ingested either a placebo or one of three doses of caf feine, 2.1 (low), 4.3 (medium), or 8.6 mg kg(-1) body weight (high), in a r andomized double-blind design. Wakefulness continued for an additional 12 h during which venous blood samples were collected for catecholamine and caf feine analysis [determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HP LC)]. A sleep latency test, the Stanford sleepiness scale, and a choice rea ction time test were administered periodically during the postdosing period and served as measures of alertness (physiological, subjective, and behavi oral, respectively). Results: Caffeine had no significant effect on noradrenaline, but adrenalin e was significantly increased between 1h and 4h post-dosing in the high dos e group compared with a placebo group. Following caffeine administration, r esponses to sleep latency, sleepiness scores, and reaction time scores show ed dose-related changes that were exhibited by significant correlation coef ficients. Conclusion: The results indicate that high doses of caffeine have a signifi cant and beneficial effect on alertness during prolonged wakefulness.