L-theanine partially counteracts caffeine-induced sleep disturbances in rats

L-theanine has been reported to inhibit the excitatory effects of caffeine. The present study examined the effects of L-theanine on caffeine-induced sleep disturbances in rats. Rats received the following drug pairings: saline and saline (Control), 7.5mg/kg caffeine and saline, or 7.5mg/kg of caffeine followed by various doses of L-theanine (22.5, 37.5, 75, or 150mg/kg). Vigilance states were divided into: wakefulness (W), transition to slow-wave sleep (tSWS), slow-wave sleep (SWS), and rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS). Caffeine significantly increased the duration of W and decreased the duration of SWS and REMS compared to the Control. Although L-theanine failed to reverse the caffeine-induced W increase, at 22.5 and 37.5mg/kg (but not at 75 and 150mg/kg), it significantly reversed caffeine-induced decreases in SWS. In conclusion, low doses of L-theanine can partially reverse caffeine-induced reductions in SWS; however, effects of L-theanine on caffeine-induced insomnia do not appear to increase dose-dependently. ► We examine effects of L-theanine on the caffeine-induced sleep disturbance. ► L-theanine at some doses reverses caffeine-induced decrease in slow-wave sleep. ► L-theanine fails to reverse the caffeine-induced increase in wakefulness.