Automatic analysis of sleep spindles--assessment in one case treated with a benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug

Wave-form analysis and detection of sleep spindles should be automatically performed to achieve objective and highly precise determination of the pattern of appearance of sleep spindles. The conditions for constructing the automatic analysis and detection are as follows: 1) it is recommended that EEGs be sampled at 500 Hz or higher intervals; 2) the digital filter with the threshold that is most appropriate for removal of artifacts should be used; 3) various conditions for the analysis and detection of wave-forms are widely used; and 4) a procedure for inspecting and reading record paper should also be included in the set-up. Taking these points into consideration, the authors developed an automatic analysis system for sleep spindles, which employs a computer. The system was applied to a case preliminarily treated with a benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, ethyl loflazepate (CM6912). The assessment using this system revealed that the CM6912 administration induced an increase in sleep spindles, delayed frequency, and caused amplitude increases and a prolonged duration.