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Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
Ampakine (CX717) effects on performance and alertness during simulated night shift work
Nancy J Wesensten1, Rebecca M Reichardt, Thomas J Balkin
1Department of Behavioral Biology, Division of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910-7500, USA. nancy.wesensten@na.amedd.army.mil
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|October 25, 2007
Summary
CX717 did not improve alertness or performance during simulated night shifts. This cognitive enhancer did affect daytime sleep, reducing slow-wave sleep, but caused no serious side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Increased need for alertness-maintaining strategies in 24/7 operations.
- CX717 is a novel cognitive enhancer in Phase II clinical trials.
- Simulated night shift work paradigm used to evaluate CX717.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the effects of CX717 on performance and alertness.
- Assess CX717's impact on objective alertness during simulated night shifts.
- Investigate CX717's effects on mood, symptoms, and daytime sleep.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel groups study.
- 48 volunteers completed 4 nights of simulated shift work.
- Administered single oral doses of CX717 (200, 400, 1000 mg) or placebo.
- Assessed performance and alertness from 2300 to 0700.
- Polysomnographically monitored daytime sleep from 0800 to 1200.
Main Results:
- Significant performance and alertness degradation occurred during simulated night shifts.
- No tested dosage of CX717 reversed these performance and alertness deficits.
- CX717 reduced slow-wave sleep time during daytime sleep.
- CX717 exhibited a favorable safety profile with minimal side effects.
Conclusions:
- CX717 was ineffective in reversing performance and alertness deficits from night shift work at tested doses.
- Further research with higher CX717 doses may be warranted.
- Investigating CX717 in other conditions like Alzheimer's dementia and ADHD is suggested.
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