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Effects of prolonged‐release melatonin and zolpidem on postural stability in older adults
Author(s) -
Otmani Sarah,
Metzger Deborah,
Guichard Nathalie,
Danjou Philippe,
Nir Tali,
Zisapel Nava,
Katz Am
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.2219
Subject(s) - zolpidem , melatonin , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , anesthesia , pharmacology , insomnia
Objectives A prolonged‐release formulation of melatonin (PR‐M) is indicated for insomnia in patients aged 55 years and older. Because hypnotics result in impairments of body sway, it was important to evaluate the effect of 2 mg PR‐M on postural stability in older adults at night. Methods Twenty‐four healthy volunteers (12 women, 12 men, aged 55–64 years) completed a randomized, double‐blind, single‐dose, three‐way crossover study of postural stability of PR‐M 2 mg, zolpidem 10 mg (active control) or placebo. Subjects were tested for body sway 30 min before, 1.5 and 4 h after dosing. Parameters tested were the area of the 95% confidence ellipse enclosing the center of pressure (COP; [A95]) and COP path length. Results Zolpidem significantly increased the A95 (both eyes conditions at all time points) and path length of COP. PR‐M had no effect on A95 (both “eyes closed” and “eyes open” conditions at all time points) compared with placebo and increased COP path length by 10% at 4 h post‐dose in open but not closed eyes condition. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions In older adults, evening PR‐M intake did not impair postural stability during the night. The postural instability with zolpidem demonstrated assay sensitivity and validated the outcome. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.