Effects of dihydroergotoxine (Redergine) on the sleep-wakefulness cycle in the cat

Abstract

Investigations with dihydroergotoxine (DHE 1.0; 3.0 and 5.0 mg/kg i.p.) indicate that DHE exerts effect on the sleep-wakefulness cycle of the cat. In doses of 3.0 and 5.0 mg/kg i.p. DHE has a suppressant effect on sleep, and in particular on REM sleep, while wakefulness was increased. With a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, wakefulness and REM sleep were decreased, while slow-wave sleep was increased.