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Related Experiment Videos

Beta-blockers and sleep: a controlled trial.

T A Betts, C Alford

    European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
    |January 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Lipophilic beta-blockers like propranolol increase awakenings and recalled dreaming, despite reducing REM sleep. This study investigated the sleep effects of four beta-blockers in female volunteers.

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    Area of Science:

    • Pharmacology
    • Sleep Medicine
    • Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Beta-blockers are widely prescribed cardiovascular drugs.
    • Their effects on sleep are not fully understood, with varying reports in literature.
    • Lipophilicity is hypothesized to influence central nervous system penetration and subsequent sleep effects.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effects of four beta-blockers (atenolol, propranolol, metoprolol, pindolol) on sleep quality and physiology.
    • To compare the effects of lipophilic versus hydrophilic beta-blockers on sleep parameters.
    • To explore the relationship between subjective sleep reports and objective physiological measurements.

    Main Methods:

    • A placebo-controlled, randomized crossover trial involving 10 female volunteers.

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  • Each subject underwent five 10-night test periods (baseline, low dose, high dose, withdrawal).
  • Sleep quality was assessed via daily questionnaires, and physiological data (EEG, eye movement, heart rate, muscle tension) were recorded nightly.

    • Main Results:

    • Subjective reports indicated increased dreaming and awakenings with the lipophilic beta-blockers (propranolol, metoprolol, pindolol).
    • Objective recordings confirmed increased awakenings with lipophilic drugs and reduced REM sleep frequency for all tested beta-blockers.
    • The hydrophilic beta-blocker, atenolol, did not affect subjective sleep but reduced REM frequency.

    Conclusions:

    • Increased awakenings caused by lipophilic beta-blockers may lead to enhanced recall of dreaming, explaining paradoxical subjective findings.
    • Reduced REM sleep frequency by beta-blockers, including the hydrophilic atenolol, suggests potential central or peripheral mechanisms influencing sleep architecture.
    • Beta-blocker lipophilicity plays a role in subjective sleep disturbances, while REM sleep reduction appears common across different types.