Baclofen trial in six myotonic dystrophy patients

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Myotonic dystrophy is a progressive genetic disorder.
• Daytime somnolence is a common and debilitating symptom in myotonic dystrophy patients.
• Baclofen is a muscle relaxant sometimes used to manage neurological symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of baclofen in treating daytime somnolence in myotonic dystrophy.
• To assess objective and subjective changes in sleepiness and related parameters.

Main Methods:

• Six young adult patients with Grade I myotonic dystrophy and daytime somnolence were enrolled.
• 36-hour polygraphic monitoring, dynamometric, and electromyographic studies were conducted.
• Patients received 60 mg/daily of baclofen for six weeks.

Main Results:

• Patients with severe sleepiness exhibited pathological Sleep Apnea Indexes.
• No significant subjective or objective improvements in patient symptomatology were observed after baclofen treatment.
• Baclofen did not alter sleepiness or related neurological parameters.

Conclusions:

• Baclofen is not an effective treatment for daytime somnolence in myotonic dystrophy.
• Further research is needed to identify effective therapies for sleep disturbances in myotonic dystrophy.