Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

The Rodent Psychomotor Vigilance Test (rPVT): A Method for Assessing Neurobehavioral Performance in Rats and Mice
07:47

The Rodent Psychomotor Vigilance Test (rPVT): A Method for Assessing Neurobehavioral Performance in Rats and Mice

Published on: December 29, 2016

Efficacy of modafinil on excessive daytime sleepiness in Prader-Willi syndrome

V Cochen De Cock1, G Diene, C Molinas

  • 1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Purpan, Toulouse, France.

American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A
|June 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Modafinil effectively reduced excessive daytime sleepiness in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). This study found the central stimulant well-tolerated and beneficial for improving daily routines disrupted by sleepiness.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common and disruptive symptom in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS).
  • Current treatments for sleepiness in PWS are limited, impacting patient quality of life.
  • Understanding sleep patterns and effective interventions is crucial for managing PWS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of modafinil in treating excessive daytime sleepiness in pediatric patients with PWS.
  • To assess the impact of modafinil on sleep latency and overall sleepiness scores.
  • To determine the safety and tolerability of modafinil in this population.

Main Methods:

  • An open-label pilot study involving nine children and adolescents with confirmed PWS and excessive daytime sleepiness.
  • Assessment included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) before and after treatment.
  • Patients received modafinil, with dosage adjustments as needed; one patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea was excluded.

Main Results:

  • All nine participants experienced significant improvement in excessive daytime sleepiness, with ESS scores decreasing from a median of 14 to 4 (P = 0.007).
  • MSLT revealed a mean sleep latency of 5 minutes, with six patients exhibiting a narcolepsy-like phenotype (≥2 sleep-onset REM periods).
  • Modafinil was well-tolerated with no reported side effects, and body mass index remained stable.

Conclusions:

  • Modafinil demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing excessive daytime sleepiness in children and adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
  • The findings suggest modafinil is a safe and well-tolerated treatment option for this symptom in PWS.
  • Further research, including larger controlled trials, is warranted to confirm these promising results.

More Related Videos

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World10:16

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Published on: April 7, 2020

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...