Depression of REM sleep in cats by nisoxetine, a potential antidepressant drug.

Nisoxetine, a potent and specific inhibitor of norepinephrine uptake, suppressed REM sleep in cats. Oral doses as small as 0.1 mg/kg were effective during the first 2 1/2 hours of a recording session; 0.25 mg/kg, for 5 hours. The amount of slow wave sleep increased in cats that received 0.1-1.0 mg/kg of nisoxetine. These changes in sleep pattern resemble those reported after treatment with somewhat higher doses of tricylic antidepressants.