Standard EEG might predict the intensity of the vasotocin effects on REM sleep in prepubertal children.

Standard electroencephalographic (EEG) anomalies were correlated with the intensity of the acute intranasally administered arginine vasotocin (AVT) effects on the REM sleep of 27 healthy prepubertal children (aged between 4 and 13 years). In comparison with saline controls, AVT greatly enhanced REM sleep parameters in subjects with alpha rhythm anomalies, theta waves or with low-voltage EEG as well as in those without hyperpnea-induced EEG anomalies, than in those without (and respectively with) these anomalies. No statistical significant correlation could be established between the intensity of AVT effects on sleep and age, sex, appearance of incidental delta waves or of paroxysmal activities. It is concluded that standard EEG might predict the intensity of the hypnogenic effects of AVT in prepubertal children. The present results support the hypothesis that AVT could be involved in the maturation of the electrical activity of the brain.