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Updated: May 20, 2026

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
Modafinil improves event related potentials P300 and contingent negative variation after 24 h sleep deprivation
Koushik Ray1, Abhirup Chatterjee, Usha Panjwani
1Neurophysiology Division, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Defence Research and Development Organization, Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi, 110054, India.
Aims:
The efficacy of modafinil as a countermeasure in the reduction of cognitive decline following 24 h of sleep deprivation (SD) on subjective sleepiness scales, event-related potential (ERP) P300, and contingent negative variation (CNV) was evaluated.
Main Methods:
Eleven healthy males, age 25-30 years participated. The experiment was performed in five sessions on different days between 7 and 8a.m. Session 1, baseline recordings; Session 2, after one night's SD; Session 3, 48 h of recovery from SD; Session 4, after 1 week of Session 1, following one night's SD along with modafinil (400mg/day); Session 5, 48 h of recovery after SD+modafinil.
Key Findings:
Subjective sleepiness scores increased significantly after SD as compared to baseline (P<0.01), but remained unaltered after modafinil supplementation. There was an increase in N100 and P300 peak latencies of ERP following SD (P<0.01), which was reduced with modafinil (P<0.05). There was an increase in CNV M100 and P300 peak latencies after SD (P<0.01) which decreased with the use of modafinil (P<0.05). The CNV reaction time increased following SD (P<0.01) and decreased with the use of modafinil (P<0.05). No significant effects on ERP N200, P200 latencies and P200, P300 amplitudes and CNV N100, M200 peak latencies and M100, M200 amplitudes were observed.
Significance:
The results strongly suggest that modafinil in a dose of 400mg/day, reduces the subjective sleepiness and cognitive decline following 24 h of SD.
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