Pharmacological management of sleep disorders — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: What is the first-line pharmacological treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy?

Answer: Modafinil

Extra: Initial management of narcolepsy includes sleep hygiene and scheduled daytime naps. Modafinil (a non-amphetamine stimulant) is the first-line pharmacological treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness. \n\nNote: Sodium oxybate is often used for cataplexy.

Flashcard 2: Dopamine receptor agonists, such as ropinirole, may _____ impulse activities (e.g. gambling, shopping, hypersexuality)

Answer: increase

Flashcard 3: What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal? _____

Answer: Benzodiazepines

Flashcard 4: Which atypical antidepressant is useful for treating anorexic or elderly depressed patients? _____

Answer: Mirtazapine

Flashcard 5: What is the primary neurotransmitter that inhibits REM sleep?

Answer: norepinephrine (NE)

Flashcard 6: What sleep changes are common in the elderly?

Answer: less REM and slow-wave sleep more latency and awakenings

Flashcard 7: What are the key characteristics and clinical associations of Sleep Stage N3?

Answer: deep sleep, sleepwalking, night terrors, bedwetting

Extra: Characterized by delta waves (low frequency, high amplitude). This is the stage where non-REM parasomnias like sleepwalking (somnambulism) and night terrors occur.

Flashcard 8: REM

Answer: dreaming, loss of motor tone, high brain activity

Extra: beta waves (like being fully awake)

Flashcard 9: What three drugs are associated with reduced REM and Stage N3 sleep?

Answer: alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbituates

Flashcard 10: How often do REM cycles occur during normal sleep?

Answer: about every 90 minutes