EFFECTS OF NISOXETINE, A SELECTIVE NORADRENALINE TRANSPORTER BLOCKER,ON SLEEP IN RATS

Nisoxetine has been shown to block specifically noradrenaline (NA) reu ptake. Therefore, this potential antidepressant is a valuable tool for investigating the involvement of the NA system in sleep regulation. T his study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of nisox etine on sleep parameters in rats. The main effects were observed with the highest dose and concern paradoxical sleep (PS). Indeed, although total sleep time was not modified, PS appeared later and its amount a nd the number of its episodes were reduced. These changes suggest a cr itical involvement of NA in the induction of PS. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci ence Inc.