Influence of biperiden and bomaprine on sleep in healthy subjects

Biperiden, 4 mg, an anticholinergic drug that is relatively selective for the Ml receptor subtype, and bornaprine, 4 mg, a nonselective Ml and M2 antagonist, were administered orally in a randomized, double-blind design to twelve healthy volunteers to investigate the effect on polysomnographically recorded sleep. Both drugs suppressed rapid eye movement (REM) sleep as reflected by an increase of REM latency and a decrease in the percentage of REM sleep period time with the effects of biperiden being more pronounced. No significant effect on slow wave sleep was observed. The results of this study support the hypothesis that both the Ml and the M2 receptor subtype are involved in the regulation of REM sleep in humans.