Sleep architecture and REM sleep measures in prepubertal major depressives. Studies during recovery from the depressive episode in a drug-free state.
The sleep of 28 fully recovered, drug-free, prepubertal patients with major depressive disorder was recorded for three consecutive nights in the laboratory. Recovered depressives had significantly shorter first rapid eye movement period (REMP) latencies and a higher number of REMPs compared with themselves when depressed and with nondepressed neurotic and normal children. In addition, most sleep continuity measures improved considerably on recovery. We suggest that a short first REMP latency may be a marker of past episode or of trait in prepubertal major depressives.
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011627:Puberty; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*