SLEEP IN ADOLESCENTS WITH PRIMARY MAJOR DEPRESSION AND SCHIZOPHRENIA - A PILOT-STUDY

The present study aimed at investigating the question whether abnormal ities of sleep, especially disinhibition of rapid eye movement (REM) s leep, are already present in adolescents with primary major depressive disorder (MDD). Ten healthy controls assessed at home, 10 inpatients with MDD and 10 inpatients with schizophrenia (age range: 13-19 years) were investigated polysomnographically. REM latency was significantly shortened in MDD compared with the two other groups. Adolescents with MDD did not display disturbances of sleep continuity as typically obs erved in adults with major depression. The most pronounced impairment of sleep continuity was noted in schizophrenic patients. The results s tress that shortened REM latency may already occur in adolescent depre ssion.