The Role of the LC-NA System in Experimental Sleep Fragmentation

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.