Specific EEG sleep pattern in the prefrontal cortex in primary insomnia.

Objective: To assess the specific prefrontal activity in comparison to those in the other main cortical areas in primary insomnia patients and in good sleepers.

Methods: Fourteen primary insomnia patients and 11 good sleepers were included in the analysis. Participants completed one night of polysomnography in the sleep lab.

Impaired driving performance associated with effect of time duration in patients with primary insomnia.

Study Objectives: To evaluate driving performance and psychomotor vigilance in patients with primary insomnia.

Design: After 1 night of polysomnography, participants performed a 1-h simulated monotonous driving task and a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT). Self-ratings of sleepiness, mood, and driving performance were completed.

Zolpidem and zopiclone impair similarly monotonous driving performance after a single nighttime intake in aged subjects.

Rationale: Although hypnotics are primarily used by older people, the residual effects the morning after a single nighttime intake of the two most commonly prescribed hypnotics, zolpidem (Zp) and zopiclone (Zc), on older middle-aged drivers have not been evaluated and compared.

Methods: Sixteen healthy subjects, 55 to 65 years of age, participated in this double-blind, balanced, cross-over study. Zc (7.