Tumor necrosis factor antagonism normalizes rapid eye movement sleep in alcohol dependence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In alcohol dependence, markers of inflammation are associated with increases in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is thought to be a prognostic indicator of alcohol relapse. This study was undertaken to test whether blockade of biologically active tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) normalizes REM sleep in alcohol-dependent adults.

Methods

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, 18 abstinent alcohol-dependent male adults received a single dose of etanercept (25 mg) versus placebo in a counterbalanced order. Polysomnographic sleep was measured at baseline and for 3 nights after the acute dose of etanercept or placebo.

Results

Compared with placebo, administration of etanercept produced significant decreases in the amount a

SUBMITTER: Irwin MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2761725 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature