title: Biological heterogeneity of major depressive disorder: indications by sleep EEG and TRH stimulation test findings.
abstract: A group of 27 patients with definite (n = 20) or probable (n = 7) RDC major depressive disorder underwent 2 sleep EEGs and 1 TRH test while in a drug-free depressive phase. A short mean REM latency (less than 60 min) identified 55.5% of major depressives while added use of blunted TSH responses (delta max. less than 5 microU/ml) increased that percentage by 11%. When patients were subdivided into RDC endogenous and nonendogenous, mean REM latency and global depression scores distinguished the 2 groups, while delta TSH did not. A short mean REM latency identified endogenous depression with 80% specificity and 76% sensitivity. The combination of REM latency and delta TSH reduced the specificity to 60%, and therefore cannot be recommended for differentiating endogenous from nonendogenous depression.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
chemical_list: D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin