Modafinil vs. caffeine: effects on fatigue during sleep deprivation

Aviat Space Environ Med. 2004 Jun;75(6):520-5.

Abstract

Introduction: The extent to which modafinil and caffeine reverse fatigue effects (defined as performance decrements with time on task) during total sleep deprivation was investigated.

Methods: There were 50 healthy young adults who remained awake for 54.5 h (06:30 day 1 to 13:00 day 3). A 10-min vigilance test was administered bi-hourly from 08:00 day 1 until 22:00 day 2. At 23:55 day 2 (after 41.5 h awake), double-blind administration of one of five drug doses (placebo; modafinil 100, 200, or 400 mg; or caffeine 600 mg; n = 10 per group) was followed by hourly testing from 00:00 through 12:00 day 3. Response speed (reciprocal of reaction time) across the 10-min task (by 1-min block) was analyzed prior to and after drug administration.

Results: A fatigue effect (response speed degradation across the 10-min task) was exacerbated by sleep deprivation and circadian rhythmicity. Prior to the drug, this effect was maximal between 08:00 and 12:00 day 3 (24-28 h sleep deprivation). Modafinil 400 mg attenuated fatigue in a manner comparable to that seen with caffeine 600 mg; these effects were especially salient during the circadian nadir of performance (06:00 through 10:00); modafinil 200 mg also reversed fatigue, but for a shorter duration (3 min) than modafinil 400 mg (8 min) or caffeine 600 mg (6 min).

Discussion and conclusions: Time-on-task effects contributed to the performance degradation seen during sleep deprivation; effects which were reversed by caffeine and, at appropriate doses, by modafinil. Because the duration of efficacy for reversing time-on-task effects was shorter at lower drug dosages, the latter must be considered when determining the appropriate dose to use during sustained operations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Caffeine / pharmacology*
  • Caffeine / therapeutic use*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fatigue / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Modafinil
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects*
  • Sleep Deprivation*

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Caffeine
  • Modafinil