RO 15-1788 decreases hypnotic effects of sleep deprivation

The present study investigated the effects of 5 mg, 60 mg and 120 mg of the benzodiazepine antagonist RO 15-1788 on the ability to resist sleep and on mood of sleep deprived subjects. Repeated administration of 60 and 120 mg significantly increased subjects alertness in comparison with 5 mg and placebo. The 5 mg dose had a tendency to potentiate the hypnotic effects of sleep-deprivation. The higher levels of the drug also decreased positive mood and increased negative mood, and increased the density of sleep spindles during sleep. These results are interpreted to suggest a dose dependent effect of RO 15-1788 on arousal level.