The applied use of psychotherapy in the study of the psychobiology of depression.
In an investigation of electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep in endogenously depressed outpatients before and after treatment with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a 79% response rate was observed in 38 patients completing the 16-week treatment protocol. Despite substantial improvements in symptoms, EEG sleep did not change significantly in recently remitted patients. Moreover, stability of sleep between pre-treatment and post-treatment assessment was confirmed by highly significant correlations; this stability may indicate either the presence of slowly healing neurophysiological "scars" or potential trait markers of depression. EEG sleep correlates of endogenous depression were not correlated with poor response to CBT; howeve, sleep correlates of hypersomnia (an atypical feature of endogenous depression) were correlated with poorer outcome. These findings suggest that CBT and tricyclic antidepressants may share several common EEG sleep correlates of treatment responsivity.
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
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Thase
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Simons