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The Acute Soporific Action of Daytime Melatonin Administration: Effects on the EEG during Wakefulness and Subjective Alertness

Brigham Women's Hospital, Circadian, Neuroendocrine, and Sleep Disorders Section, Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

Kurt Kräuchi

Chronobiology and Sleep Laboratory, Psychiatric University Clinic, Wilhelm Kleinstr. 27, CH-4025 Basel, Switzerland

Anna Wirz-Justice

Chronobiology and Sleep Laboratory, Psychiatric University Clinic, Wilhelm Kleinstr. 27, CH-4025 Basel, Switzerland

Melatonin has been reported to have soporific effects; following daytime administration, it induces sleepiness and reduces sleep onset latency. However, subjective sleepiness is masked by a variety of stimuli and behaviors; thus, it is important to be able to delineate objective psychophysiological sequelae of melatonin administration. Alertness decrements during wakefulness are correlated with augmented theta/alpha power in the waking electroencephalogram (EEG). This has been validated in a constant routine protocol. In a variety of experiments with melatonin administration (5 mg), the authors have shown that the EEG changes can be measured immediately, before any subjective soporific effects are recognized. These increases in theta/alpha power occur when melatonin is administered during the day (1300 or 1800 h) but are less visible when near the endogenous melatonin rise in the evening (2040 h). Importantly, both subjective and objective measures of sleepiness are suppressed when subjects change posture from supine to standing.

Key Words: EEG • spectral analysis • theta/alpha activity • constant routine • posture

Journal of Biological Rhythms, Vol. 12, No. 6, 636-643 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/074873049701200619


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