Effect of cabergoline added to levodopa treatment on sleep-wake cycle in idiopathic Parkinson's disease: an open label 24-hour polysomnographic study

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2006 Dec;113(12):1909-13. doi: 10.1007/s00702-006-0490-x. Epub 2006 Jun 1.

Abstract

Few studies focused on the effects of cabergoline on sleep-wake cycle in PD. Twelve patients affected by PD treated with levodopa as monotherapy underwent two 24-hour ambulatory polysomnographic (A-PSG) sessions twice: in baseline condition (levodopa as monotherapy) and after addition of cabergoline. In each condition, a subjective evaluation of sleep quality and daytime sleepiness was obtained by means of Parkinson's disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The statistical analysis of sleep parameters revealed a significant increase of sleep efficiency and slow wave sleep under cabergoline. The PDSS total score showed a significant improvement of overall sleep quality after cabergoline. No significant changes in daytime sleepiness were observed. No patient referred and/or showed sleep attacks before and after addition of cabergoline. We hypothesize that the long-lasting effect of cabergoline may improve the objective quality of nocturnal sleep in PD patients complaining nocturnal motor disability without inducing daytime sleepiness.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cabergoline
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Ergolines / adverse effects*
  • Ergolines / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Polysomnography
  • Sleep / drug effects*
  • Wakefulness / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Ergolines
  • Levodopa
  • Cabergoline