Work

The 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride is not associated with alterations in sleep spindles in men referred for polysomnography

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Endogenous neurosteroids that potentiate the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA ) receptor are thought to enhance the generation of sleep spindles. This study tested the hypothesis that the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride, an agent associated with reductions in neurosteroids, would be associated with reduced sleep spindles in men referred for polysomnography. METHODS: Spectral analysis and spindle waveform detection were performed on electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep data in the 11-16 Hz sigma band, as well as several subranges, from 27 men taking finasteride and 27 matched comparison patients (ages 18 to 81 years). RESULTS: No significant differences between groups were observed for spectral power or sleep spindle morphology measures, including spindle density, amplitude, duration, and integrated spindle activity. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypothesis, these findings demonstrate that finasteride is not associated with alterations in sleep spindle range activity or spindle morphology parameters.

Source: Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental

DOI: 10.1002/hup.2502

Authors: Michael R. Goldstein, Jesse D. Cook, David T. Plante

Institutions: University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Arizona

Language: English

Topic: Sleep and Wakefulness Research

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, American Sleep Medicine Foundation, National Institute of Mental Health