A Phase 1 interventional study of DMTN and Auditory Stimulation in The Role of the LC-NA System in Sleep Regulation, sponsored by Hans-Peter Landolt. Recruiting at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 35 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-12.
Sponsored by Hans-Peter Landolt · Phase 1, Interventional, and Basic science
Sleep-wake regulation affects every person's life, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain poorly understood. In particular, the microstructure of sleep has not been sufficiently studied to explain how sleep produces a feeling of restoration the following morning. Stress also plays a significant role in sleep regulation. This study aims to investigate the role of norepinephrine in these processes.
Following a screening night and a baseline sleep recording, participants undergo three experimental nights in the sleep laboratory. On each of these nights, sleep is intentionally disrupted using auditory stimuli to induce fragmentation. To investigate potential counteracting effects on sleep quality, participants receive either a low dose (64 µg), a high dose (96 µg) of dexmedetomidine (DMTN)-a compound known to reduce norepinephrine levels-or a placebo. All participants experience each condition in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, with the sequence of administration varying between individuals. Neither the participants nor the study team are aware of the assigned condition on any given night.
In a second part of the study, three additional nights are conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dexmedetomidine. During these nights, participants again receive either the low dose (64 µg), high dose (96 µg), or placebo (in randomized order). Blood samples are collected at multiple time points to characterize the compound's pharmacokinetic profile, and additional physiological outcomes are measured to evaluate pharmacodynamic effects.
756 studies on the registry are indexed under Parasomnias; 189 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 42 is below the median of 66 across 569 interventional studies indexed under Parasomnias.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Use of condom and/or hormonal contraceptive (e.g., oral, patch, depot injection, implant, vaginal ring, intrauterine device) or non-hormonal intrauterine device used for at least 4 weeks prior to sexual intercourse for the female partner;
Simultaneous use of condom and hormonal contraceptive (e.g., oral, patch, depot injection, implant, vaginal ring, intrauterine device) or non-hormonal intrauterine device used for at least 4 weeks prior to sexual intercourse for the female partner;
- Females of non-childbearing potential who are neither: Post-menopausal (status defined as an absence of menses for at least 12 months prior to the first study drug administration); or Surgically sterilized (complete hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy at least 3 months prior to the first study drug administration)
Experimental: 64 µg Dexmedetomidine
Drug: DMTN
Experimental: 96 µg Dexmedetomidine
Drug: DMTN
Placebo
Drug: Placbo
Experimental: 64 µg Dexmedetomidine + Auditory Stimulation
Drug: DMTN · Other: Auditory Stimulation
Experimental: 96 µg Dexmedetomidine + Auditory Stimulation
Drug: DMTN · Other: Auditory Stimulation
Placebo + Auditory Stimulation
Other: Auditory Stimulation · Drug: Placbo
Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that reduces the release of norepinephrine by inhibiting activity in the locus coeruleus, a key brain region involved in arousal and stress responses. In this study, dexmedetomidine will be administered as an oro-dispersible tablet applied buccally, allowing for rapid absorption through the oral mucosa.
Auditory tones will be presented throughout the night at individually calibrated intensities, adjusted to each participant's hearing threshold, in order to induce controlled sleep fragmentation without full awakenings.
Oro-dispersible placebo tablet identical in appearance and packaging to the active Dexmedetomidine tablet.
Change in Total Sleep Time (TST)
The total amount of time spent in all sleep stages (N1, N2, N3, and REM) combined, measured in minutes.
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Change in Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO)
The total time spent awake in minutes after sleep has been initiated and before the final awakening.
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Change in Sleep Efficiency
The percentage of time spent asleep relative to the total time spent in bed (Total Sleep Time / Time in Bed \* 100).
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Change in Sleep Onset Latency (SOL)
The time in minutes from "lights out" to the first epoch of any sleep stage.
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Percentage of Time in N1, N2, N3 and REM-Sleep
The proportion of Total Sleep Time spent in Stage N1, N2, N3 and REM-Sleep.
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Change in Arousal Index
The number of EEG arousals per hour of sleep.
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of Dexmedetomidine
The maximum observed concentration of dexmedetomidine in plasma following administration, determined from serial blood sampling.
Time frame: Up to 24 hours post-dose on Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, and Experimental Night 3
Time to Maximum Plasma Concentration (Tmax) of Dexmedetomidine
The time at which the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of dexmedetomidine is observed following administration.
Time frame: Up to 24 hours post-dose on Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, and Experimental Night 3
Area Under the Plasma Concentration-Time Curve From Time 0 to Last Measurable Point (AUC0-t) of Dexmedetomidine
The cumulative drug exposure over time, calculated as the area under the dexmedetomidine plasma concentration versus time curve from the time of dosing to the last quantifiable plasma concentration.
Time frame: Up to 24 hours post-dose on Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, and Experimental Night 3
Change in Plasma Noradrenaline Concentration
Assessment of the change in endogenous noradrenaline levels in plasma, measured from samples collected at predetermined timepoints following intervention.
Time frame: Up to 24 hours post-dose on Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, and Experimental Night 3
Dim Light Melatonin Onset (DLMO)
The clock time at which the concentration of salivary melatonin first exceeds a calculated threshold, determined by serial sampling in dim light conditions. DLMO is a key marker of circadian phase.
Time frame: Evening after Experimental Night 1, Evening after Experimental Night 2, Evening after Experimental Night 3
Change in Autonomic Arousal Measured by Pupillometry
To quantify autonomic arousal, pupillometry will be performed at different schedules. During sleep-focused visits, assessments are at pre-dose, 15 minutes post-dose, and 15 minutes after lights on. During pharmacokinetic-focused visits, additional assessments are made at 2 and 4 hours post-dose. Autonomic arousal will be reported as a single index derived from pupil diameter and its fluctuations.
Time frame: Pre-dose, 15 minutes post-dose, 2 hours post-dose (only PK-Part), 4 hours post-dose (only PK-Part), 15 minutes after lights on.
Change in Heart Rate Variable
Heart rate variables, will be continuously monitored to assess autonomic nervous system regulation.
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Resting-state EEG spectral analysis
Wake-state EEG will be recorded before and after sleep to assess changes in power spectral density, especially in alpha and theta bands.
Time frame: Pre-sleep (evening) and post-sleep (morning) at the baseline night and each of the 3 overnight experimental visits (together with the "Change in Autonomic Arousal Measured by Pupillometry" acquisition).
Nocturnal thermoregulation
Body temperature will be continuously monitored to evaluate effects of Dexmedetomidine on thermoregulation.
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Pre-sleep arousal levels (PSAS)
The Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS, score range 16 - 80, with higher scores indicating higher levels of arousal) will be administered to assess cognitive and somatic arousal prior to bedtime.
Time frame: Morning of Baseline Night, Morning of Experimental Night 1, Morning of Experimental Night 2, Morning of Experimental Night 3
Sedation depth (OAAS scale)
Observer-rated sedation will be assessed using the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale (score 1 - 5).
Time frame: Completed at each of the 3 overnight experimental visits similar to the blood sampling timepoints in the sleep opportunity window.
Mood states (POMS-16 and A-SIQ)
Mood and sleep inertia will be evaluated using the 16-item Profile of Mood States (POMS-16, 16 items from 0-4; assesses mood across five subscales, with higher scores indicating greater intensity except for vigor) and the Acute Sleep Inertia Questionnaire (A-SIQ, 22 items from -3 - +3, with higher scores indicate more sleep inertia and 1 item with visual analoge scale) upon awakening.
Time frame: Morning following Baseline Night, Morning following Experimental Night 1, Morning following Experimental Night 2, Morning following Experimental Night 3
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Trait and state anxiety will be assessed via the STAI-Y1 (STAI-Y1, 20 items from 1-4; higher scores reflect greater momentary anxiety) questionnaire to explore mood modulation effects of the experimental sleep fragmentation and Dexmedetomidine.
Time frame: Morning following Baseline Night, Morning following Experimental Night 1, Morning following Experimental Night 2, Morning following Experimental Night 3
Psychomotor vigilance (PVT)
Vigilance performance will be assessed using the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) upon awakening.
Time frame: Morning following Baseline Night, Morning following Experimental Night 1, Morning following Experimental Night 2, Morning following Experimental Night 3
Number of Participants with Orthostatic Intolerance as Defined by Schellong Test Criteria
The number of participants who are unable to complete the full duration of the Schellong test or exhibit clear signs of intolerance. This is defined as the occurrence of any of the following: participant-reported dizziness or pre-syncope requiring termination of the test; investigator-observed excessive swaying or stumbling requiring intervention; or early termination of the test at the participant's request.
Time frame: Morning following Baseline Night, Morning following Experimental Night 1, Morning following Experimental Night 2, Morning following Experimental Night 3
Number of Participants Exhibiting Clinically Significant Gait Instability During a Standardized Gait Task
Postural stability and adaptation during walking will be assessed via a standardized gait task. Clinically significant instability is defined as the occurrence of any of the following during the task: any stumble, trip, or loss of balance; requiring physical assistance or support from an external surface (e.g., a wall); or an inability to complete the prescribed walking task as instructed.
Time frame: In the morning after 8 hours sleep opportunity window of the baseline night and each of the 3 overnight experimental visits. For the PK part additional timepoints (2 & 4 hours post dosing) will be measured during sleep opportunity window of 8 hours.
Change in Power of EEG Infra-Slow Oscillations (<0.1 Hz) During NREM Sleep
The power spectral density of EEG activity (measured in μV²/Hz) in the infra-slow frequency band (\<0.1 Hz), calculated from overnight polysomnography (PSG) recordings during NREM sleep. The change from the placebo condition to the DMTN condition will be calculated to assess the drug's effect on rhythmic noradrenergic signalling.
Time frame: Baseline Night, Experimental Night 1, Experimental Night 2, Experimental Night 3
Change in Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Peripheral blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), measured as a percentage, will be continuously monitored via pulse oximetry during the pharmacokinetic (PK) study visits.
Time frame: Continuously during each 3 of the the pharmacokinetic overnight experimental visits.
Change in Systolic Blood Pressure
Systolic blood pressure (SBP), measured in mmHg, will be assessed at discrete time points in the evening and morning to evaluate autonomic changes.
Time frame: Evening and Morning of Baseline Night, Evening and Morning of Experimental Night 1, Evening and Morning of Experimental Night 2, Evening and Morning of Experimental Night 3
Change in Diastolic Blood Pressure
Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), measured in mmHg, will be assessed at discrete time points in the evening and morning to evaluate autonomic changes.
Time frame: Evening and Morning of Baseline Night, Evening and Morning of Experimental Night 1, Evening and Morning of Experimental Night 2, Evening and Morning of Experimental Night 3
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