REM-SLEEP ENHANCEMENT BY BUPROPION IN DEPRESSED MEN

Objective: The authors compared the effects of bupropion, fluoxetine, and cognitive behavior therapy on EEG sleep in depressed subjects. Met hod: All-night sleep EEG studies were performed before treatment and a fter partial or full remission on 18 men with depression diagnosed acc ording to Research Diagnostic Criteria and randomly assigned to treatm ent with either bupropion (N=7) or fluoxetine (N=11). Response to thes e drugs was measured by changes in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale sc ores. Pre- and posttreatment EEG sleep study results before and after treatment with cognitive behavior therapy were also available for 18 m en matched in age and severity of Hamilton depression scale score, and one-time EEG sleep measures were available for 36 men who were not de pressed. Results: REM latency was reduced and REM sleep percent and RE M time increased after treatment in the depressed men given bupropion. These effects contrasted with the effects of fluoxetine and cognitive behavior therapy. Conclusions: This study represents the first report of an antidepressant medication that shortens REM latency and increas es REM sleep. If confirmed, this finding may require a revision of our current understanding of the relation among depression, REM sleep, an d antidepressant mechanisms.