Effects of ethanol, diphenhydramine, and triazolam after a nap

This study assessed the capacity of a 60-minute nap to reverse the sedating and performance-disruptive effects of ethanol, triazolam, and Diphenhydramine. Twelve healthy, young men received (at 0800 to 0830) .6 g/kg ethanol and a placebo pill, .25 mg triazolam and ethanol placebo, 50 mg Diphenhydramine and ethanol placebo, and a placebo pill and ethanol placebo on each of 2 days in a Latin Square design. On one treatment day (at 0900 hour) subjects were allowed a 60-minute nap and on the other a sleep latency test (no nap). Then, sleep latency was tested (by Multiple Sleep Latency Test [MSLT] at 1100, 1300, 1500, and 1700) and divided attention performance assessed (at 1130). The nap reversed the sedative effects of ethanol and Diphenhydramine and reduced those of triazolam (on MSLT). The nap reduced the performance-disruptive effects of ethanol and Diphenhydramine but not those of triazolam. Given the differing neurobiological mechanisms of these drugs, the data suggest that some of their effects are nonspecific and result from activation of sleep mechanisms that a nap can reverse.