Distribution of REM latencies and other sleep phenomena in depression as explained by a single ultradian rhythm disturbance

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 126 - 136
• Main Authors: BEERSMA, D. G. M, DAAN, S, VAN DEN HOFFDAKKER, R. H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rochester, MN American Academy of Sleep Medicine 1984
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Clocks; Depression; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Electroencephalography; Humans; Medical sciences; Mood disorders; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Reaction Time; Sleep Stages; Sleep, REM; Human; Affective disorder; Rapid eye movement; Ultradian rhythm; Depression; Slow wave sleep; Psychophysiology
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/7.2.126

The McCarley-Hobson model, describing the alternation of NREM and REM sleep in the cat, was applied to human electroencephalographic data. The influence of initial conditions on oscillatory behavior was especially emphasized. It appears that the distribution of REM latency in depression, the abnormal accumulation of REM sleep, the variability of NREM-REM cycle duration, the frequent stage shifts, and frequent awakenings can be explained in this model by means of a decrease in the initial value of a single variable, which may be regarded as representing the strength of REM inhibition. The observation of slow wave sleep deficiency in depression may well be another reflection of this parameter.