Effects of Trazodone on Sleep Quality and Cognitive Function in Arteriosclerotic Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Comorbid With Chronic Insomnia

BACKGROUND: Chronic insomnia is common in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and aggravates the cognitive impairment caused by CSVD. Low-dose trazodone is effective in treating insomnia, but it is unclear whether it can also improve cognitive function in CSVD patients. This study was performed to explore the effects of trazodone on sleep quality and cognitive function in CSVD comorbid with chronic insomnia. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Forty patients suffering from arteriosclerotic CSVD and insomnia were recruited from an outpatient clinic. Participants were randomized individually to receive either trazodone (study group) or a placebo (control group) for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the cognitive score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA). Secondary outcomes included sleep parameters measured with polysomnography (PSG) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Trazodone caused significantly better improvements in concentration and recall abilities, measured with MoCA, as well as in PSG parameters such as sleep efficiency, N3 sleep ratio, and sleep continuity than the placebo, with no significant differences in the occurrence of side effects. The improvement of sleep quality was correlated with increased concentration and recall abilities. CONCLUSIONS: A low dose of trazodone seems acceptable and effective in reducing insomnia severity and improving concentration and recall abilities in this pilot study. The improvement of cognition could be achieved by alleviation of insomnia severity. Considering the high incidence of insomnia in CSVD patients, the results of this preliminary study support the use of low-dose trazodone to deal with insomnia and cognitive impairment in CSVD.