[Schizophrenia and circadian rhythms].
Circadian rhythms have not been widely studied in schizophrenic patients, probably for methodological feasibility reasons. The available findings relate to the awake/asleep cycle and are not particularly up to date. Clinically' the reduction in overall sleep time and sleep fragmentation are usual but relatively non-specific findings in decompensated psychotic episodes. Although H Ey's hypothesis of intermediate sleep by has not been followed up, EEG recordings support moderate abnormalities linked to certain times of progression such as a possible increase in MOR density or reduction in REM latency in delusional phases. The reduction in SLP is thought to be more a marker of the schizophrenic state as an illness. A possible action of some antipsychotics on sleep fragmentation would give them resynchronising activity, which remains to be confirmed.
Vanelle
J-M
JM
Hôpital Saint-Jacques, 85, rue Saint-Jacques, 44093 Nantes cedex. Jean-Marie.Vanelle@chu-nantes.fr
D000208:Acute Disease; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008550:Melatonin