MODAFINIL-INDUCED WAKEFULNESS EXHIBITS HEIGHTENED ALERTNESS IN THE CAT

COSTA A; MATEO D; PASCOVICH P; CASTRO S; BISAGNO V; URBANO FJ; TORTEROLO P

Rio de Janeiro

Congreso; World Sleep Meeting 2023; 2023

World Sleep Society

Introduction: Persistent declines in vigilance linked to narcolepsy, aging, circadian disruptions, and societal demands have substantial health repercussions. Modafinil (MOD), a wake-promoting psychostimulant, addresses these concerns. MOD's approval for narcolepsy, hypersomnia, shift work sleep disorder, and cognitive deficits attests to its efficacy. Noteworthy are MOD's effects on adrenergic, histaminergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic pathways, glutamate transmission, and GABA attenuation, impacting cognitive domains, glucose metabolism, and memory.Interestingly, MOD's cognitive enhancement extends beyond therapeutic contexts, encompassing the healthy population. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize the wakefulness induced by modafinil in an experimental cat model.Materials and Methods: We conducted semi-restrictive polysomnographic recordings in cats to investigate the effects of modafinil on wakefulness. Electrodes were chronically implanted for electrocortical monitoring. Polysomnographic recordings were obtained during both modafinil (5mg/kg oral administration) and control (empty capsule) conditions.Results: Our findings revealed that modafinil administration led to a sustained wakefulness state. The mean time spent in wakefulness per hour of recording significantly increased from 2057.8 ± 299.7 SEM in controls to 3564.6 seconds ± 155 in the modafinil group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the total time spent in wakefulness significantly increased from 8231 seconds ± 1208.2 SE in control conditions, to 14258.5 seconds ± 622.8 SE (p