SERUM PROLACTIN, GROWTH-HORMONE, TOTAL CORTICOIDS, THYROID-HORMONES AND THYROTROPINE DURING SERIAL THERAPEUTIC SLEEP-DEPRIVATION

In 13 patients fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria for a major depressive ep isode, hormone serum levels were measured at 8 AM on the day before an d on the first and second days after partial sleep deprivation (PSD) l ate in the night during a 4-week course of therapy with amitriptyline in combination with 6 PSDs. Prolactin, human growth hormone (HGH) and total corticoids were not influenced by PSD. In contrast T3 and thyrot ropine (TSH) were elevated significantly on the Ist day after PSD thro ughout the series, but T4 less regularly. Although TSH reverted regula rly to baseline values on the 2nd day after PSD, i.e. after a full nig ht's sleep, T3 remained elevated. The hormones under discussion do nor predict the therapeutic PSD effect. Nor can any correlation be determ ined between endocrine and clinical changes on the Ist or 2nd day afte r PSD. In connection with findings from sleep deprivation research in animals and in healthy subjects, the results suggest that thyroid chan ges under PSD may be nonspecific and unrelated to antidepressive PSD e ffects.