Sleep architecture in insomniacs with severe benzodiazepine abuse.

Sleep architecture in insomniacs with severe benzodiazepine abuse.

Clin Neurophysiol. 2017 Mar 16;128(6):875-881

Authors: Manconi M, Ferri R, Miano S, Maestri M, Bottasini V, Zucconi M, Ferini-Strambi L

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are the most commonly prescribed compounds in insomnia. A long-term of BZDs use may cause dependence and abuse. The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep architecture and microstructure (in terms of cyclic alternating pattern - CAP - analysis and of sleep EEG power spectral analysis) in a group of long-term users of high doses of BZDs for their primary chronic insomnia.
METHODS: Twenty patients consecutively admitted at the Sleep Centre for drug discontinuation and 13 matched healthy controls underwent a full nocturnal video-polysomnographic recording, after one adaptation night.
RESULTS: Significant differences were found in time in bed, REM sleep latency and sleep stage 1% which were increased in patients compared to controls, while CAP rate was dramatically decreased. During NREM sleep, patients showed a clear decrease in the relative power of delta band.
CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that in adults with chronic insomnia, long-term use of high doses of BZDs induces a severe disruption of sleep microstructure, while sleep architecture seems to be much less affected.
SIGNIFICANCE: The long term use of high doses of BZDs for chronic insomnia induces a marked depression of slow wave activity and of its physiological instability.

PMID: 28399441 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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