REM sleep enhancement by bupropion in depressed men.
OBJECTIVE
The authors compared the effects of bupropion, fluoxetine, and cognitive behavior therapy on EEG sleep in depressed subjects.


METHODS
All-night sleep EEG studies were performed before treatment and after partial or full remission on 18 men with depression diagnosed according to Research Diagnostic Criteria and randomly assigned to treatment with either bupropion (N = 7) or fluoxetine (N = 11). Response to these drugs was measured by changes in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores. Pre- and posttreatment EEG sleep study results before and after treatment with cognitive behavior therapy were also available for 18 men matched in age and severity of Hamilton depression scale score, and one-time EEG sleep measures were available for 36 men who were not depressed.


RESULTS
REM latency was reduced and REM sleep percent and REM time increased after treatment in the depressed men given bupropion. These effects contrasted with the effects of fluoxetine and cognitive behavior therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This study represents the first report of an antidepressant medication that shortens REM latency and increases REM sleep. If confirmed, this finding may require a revision of our current understanding of the relation among depression, REM sleep, and anti-depressant mechanisms.
Nofzinger
E A
EA
Sleep and Chronobiology Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, PA 15213.
Reynolds
C F
CF
Thase
M E
ME
Frank
E
E
Jennings
J R
JR
Fasiczka
A L
AL
Sullivan
L R
LR
Kupfer
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016642:Bupropion / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D005473:Fluoxetine; D016642:Bupropion