Polysomnographic Study Comparing the Use of Dexmedetomidine and Zolpidem to Induce Natural Sleep

Inclusion criteria

• Primary Inclusion Criteria for "Insomniac" subjects:

Subjects will be deemed "Insomniacs" if they suffer from any of the following:

• Subject will be required to meet the criteria for insomnia, set by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, which requires that a patient have difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep that is not accounted for by another sleep disorder, neurologic or psychiatric disorder or substance or medication.
• Subject will be required to not be on any current pharmacological sleep disorder treatment.
• Between the ages of 18 and 35 years.
• Not taking any prescription medications that alter sleep, cognitive functions, or both.

Exclusion criteria

Primary Exclusion Criteria for "Healthy" control subjects:

• Abnormal sleep habits:

• sleeping less than 5 hours each night;
• going to sleep before 9:00 PM or after 2:00 AM on a regular basis; or
• Waking up before 5:00 AM or after 10:00 AM on a regular basis. This will be objectively assessed by wrist actigraphy measured for a 1-week duration prior to the first study night.
• A sleep latency greater than 60 minutes, greater than 3 awakenings per night. This will also be objectively assessed by wrist actigraphy.
• A score greater than or equal to 10 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
• Takes medication that alters sleep, cognitive function, or both.
• Has a history of a known neurological or psychiatric problem.
• Younger than 18 or older than 35 years of age.
• Known or suspected sleep disorder(s).