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Interferon-alpha acutely impairs sleep in healthy humans

E Späth-Schwalbe1, T Lange, B Perras

  • 1Charité, Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.

Cytokine
|June 17, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) impairs human sleep quality, reducing deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This cytokine may contribute to sleep disturbances during viral infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is a cytokine with known roles in immune response.
  • Previous research suggested potential sleep-promoting effects of IFN-alpha in animals.
  • The impact of low-dose IFN-alpha on human sleep physiology remained unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of two low doses of human recombinant interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on nocturnal sleep in healthy men.
  • To compare the sleep-altering effects of 1000 U/kg and 10000 U/kg IFN-alpha doses.
  • To explore the potential role of endogenous IFN-alpha in sleep disturbances.

Main Methods:

  • Polysomnographic sleep recordings were used to monitor sleep architecture in 18 healthy male subjects.
  • Subjects received subcutaneous injections of either 1000 U/kg IFN-alpha, 10000 U/kg IFN-alpha, or placebo at 1900h.
  • Sleep was recorded between 2300h and 0700h following administration.

Main Results:

  • IFN-alpha administration led to increased subjective fatigue and impaired objective sleep quality.
  • The higher dose (10000 U/kg) showed stronger effects than the lower dose (1000 U/kg).
  • Significant suppression of slow-wave sleep (P<0.003) and reduction in REM sleep (P<0.04) were observed.
  • Increased time in shallow sleep (P<0.05) and delayed REM sleep latency (P<0.02) were noted.

Conclusions:

  • Low-dose interferon-alpha negatively impacts human nocturnal sleep, contrary to some animal studies.
  • IFN-alpha suppresses key sleep stages, including slow-wave and REM sleep.
  • Endogenous IFN-alpha may be a contributing factor to sleep alterations during infections.

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