The effect of a single dose (30 mg) of Org 3770 (metirzapine) on human sleep was assessed in a double blind, placebo controlled, cross over study in 6 young, healthy male volunteers. The sleep stage classification was based on visual scoring of 24 h electroencephalographic recordings according to the criteria of Rechtschaffen and Kales. Org 3770 30 mg p.o. given 2 h before bedtime had a sleep promoting action in all subjects, resulting in a shortened time to the onset of sleep. Bedtime waking and dozing (Stage 1) were reduced in favour of deep, slow wave sleep (Stages 3 and 4). Org 3770 increased the latency of REM sleep with respect to Stage 2 sleep in all subjects. It also caused a minor reduction in waking periods during REM sleep and a lower frequency of awakenings after periods of movement. No effect of Org 3770 was observed in reaction and vigilance tests on the post treatment day. The observed effects of Org 3770 on normal human sleep suggest that it might ameliorate the sleep disturbances encountered in endogenous depression, which are characterized by a reduction in slow wave sleep, an increase in nighttime awakenings and shortening of REM sleep latency.