Journal de recherche et de thérapie en toxicomanie

Abstrait

The Effects of the Benzodiazepine, Temazepam, on Neurocognitive Functioning and Sleep Patterns in Methamphetamine-Dependent Participants

James J Mahoney III , Brian J. Jackson, Ari D. Kalechstein, Richard De La Garza, Ravi Shah Chandra S. Nerumalla and Thomas F. Newton

Objectives: Previous research has shown that methamphetamine users demonstrate poorer sleep quality and daytime sleepiness when compared to healthy controls. It is also well known that long-term methamphetamine use is associated with impaired neurocognitive function and, similarly, sleep deprivation is associated with decreased neurocognitive performance. Temazepam is a potent sedative and is effective for the treatment of insomnia. It was hypothesized that treatment of methamphetamine dependent volunteers with temazepam would improve sleep characteristics resulting in improved cognitive functioning.

Methods: 18 subjects completed a seven-day inpatient study where they completed daily subjective assessments, such as the PSQI, ESS, and VAS. Temazepam or placebo was administered on the evenings of Nights 5 and 6. Sleepiness was objectively assessed using the MSLT on Days 5-7 and neurocognitive testing was performed on Day 5 (prior to drug administration) and on Day 7.

Results: The findings of this study demonstrate that temazepam did not improve quality of sleep, did not decrease sleep onset latency, and did not improve in neurocognition in methamphetamine-dependent participants.

Discussion: Since the chosen dose and duration of temazepam did not improve neurocognitive performance when compared to placebo, further research must be performed to better understand temazepam’s effects and potential utility in this population.