Effects of an Orexin Receptor Antagonist on Sleep, Article Critique Example

Objective

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Suvorexant, an orexin receptor, is able to treat causes a shift in brain waves related to sleep patterns in healthy men.

Design

This is a phase I study that was designed in order to determine the side effects of the drug and its relation to sleep in healthy patients. Participants were randomized to one of four groups; three study groups were assigned to varying doses of Suvorexant and the other group was assigned to a placebo pill. Group assignment was determined based on randomization and both researchers and participants were blinded to the group assignment.

Methods

PSG was used to measure overnight sleep parameters in the four study groups.

Results

It was found that Suvorexant increases the ability of individuals to sleep, regardless of dose, compared to the placebo. It was found that the 50 mg and 100 mg were equally as effective in preventing participants from waking up and that 10 mg was somewhat effective.

Conclusions

The author concluded that in health individuals without history of sleep disorders, Suvorexant can be used to enhance sleep. Generally, higher doses of the drug enhance these effects.

Comments

Because people who do not have sleep disorders can benefit from Suvorexant to induce sleep, it is likely that the drug would be beneficial to people with insomnia as well. It would be necessary to test this theory before this drug could be sold on the market. However, since there are almost no adverse drug effects, it would be reasonable for the authors of this study to generate a phase 2 trial to continue pushing the use of this drug as a treatment for insomnia.

Works Cited

Hong S et al. Effects of Suvorexant, an Orexin Receptor Antagonist, on Sleep Parameters as Measured by Polysomnography in Healthy Men. Sleep, 36.2(2013): 259-267.