Evaluation of the Effect of Modafinil on Cognitive Functions in Patients with Idiopathic Hypersomnia with P300 (P5.296)

OBJECTIVE: Modafinil is a well-tolerated psychostimulant drug with low addictive potential that is used to treat patients with narcolepsy and other excessive sleepiness. Whereas favorable effects of modafinil on cognitive functions have been shown in a large number of studies, there are very limited number of reports presenting the effects of modafinil electrophysiologically. BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of modafinil on auditory p300 latency and amplitude electrophysiologically. DESIGN/METHOD: Eighteen patients (age range: 16-48) with a diagnosis of Idiopathic Hypersomnia (IH) were included in the present study. As a standart treatment, 200 mg/day modafinil was administered to each patient. P300 auditory test was performed for each patient before and at the end of 1 week of modafinil treatment. RESULTS: After one week of modafinil treatment, mean P300 latencies (at all electrode sites) were significantly lower than the latencies before the treatment ( P values for Fz, Cz and Pz recording sites were 0.039, 0.002 and 0.004, respectively). An increase in the P300 amplitudes was detected only at Fz recording site, but not at Cz or Pz recording sites. ( P values for Fz, Cz and Pz recording sites were 0.014, 0.100 and 0.05, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: One week of modafinil treatment improved the cognitive performance, alertness and executive functions in IH patients. Our findings obtained electrophysiologically provide further confirmation for previous reports in which modafinil has been shown to exert favorable effects on cognitive performance, alertness and executive functions. Disclosure: Dr. Yaman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Karakaya has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mayda has nothing to disclose. Dr. Guzel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Koyuncu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Oruc has nothing to disclose.