EFFECTS OF TRANSDERMAN NICOTINE ON MOOD AND SLEEP IN NONSMOKING MAJORDEPRESSED-PATIENTS

The role of nicotine as an indirect cholinergic agent in sleep has bee n studied in normal subjects. There are no studies of its effects on s leep in depressed patients. Nicotine transdermal patches (17.5 mg), we re studied in eight depressed patients (DSM-III-R) and eight normal vo lunteers. Subjects wore placebo and nicotine patches for 24 h. Depress ed patients showed inreased REM sleep without changes in other sleep v ariables. They also showed a short term improvement of mood. Normal vo lunteers had sleep fragmentation, and reduction of REM sleep time. No major side effects were reported in either group.