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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2016
Antihistamines: impaired performance and the tendency to sleep
Abstract:
The central effects of various antihistamines were studied using a variety of tests of performance, including visuo-motor co-ordination and dynamic visual acuity, as well as paper and pencil tests and critical flicker fusion. The possible relationship between performance and sedation was also studied using digit symbol substitution and latencies to drowsy sleep. There was high degree of correlation between drowsiness, as indicated by the relative ease with which individuals fell asleep over the day, and impaired performance, but it was not possible to establish the relationship for each time of the day. These findings lend some support to the suggestion that impaired performance with antihistamines may be a non-specific effect of sedation.
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