EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH THE MAO-A INHIBITOR MOCLOBEMIDE ON SLEEP EEG AND NOCTURNAL HORMONAL SECRETION IN NORMAL MEN

Sleep EEG, nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) and nocturnal hormone secretion were studied in four normal males during placebo, under up to 300 mg per day of moclobemide, the short-acting and reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (type A), and after withdrawal. Under moclobemide, REM sleep was slightly suppressed. Drug cessation was followed by REM rebound. In contrast to REM sleep, NPT was not affected by the drug. The nocturnal cortisol concentration was elevated under moclobemide and this effect persisted after withdrawal. No influences on growth hormone, prolactin, testosterone, luteinizing hormone or follicle-stimulating hormone were found.