SLOW-WAVE SLEEP DEFICITS AND OUTCOME IN SCHIZOPHRENIA AND SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER

Schizophrenia is associated with altered sleep architecture, particula rly in regard to delta sleep. We examined the relation between the bas eline polysomnographic measures in schizophrenic and schizoaffective p atients and psychosocial outcome as measured by the Strauss and Carpen ter scale at 1 (n = 20) and 2 (n = 7) years. The percentages of delta sleep at baseline were significantly correlated with total outcome sco res at 1 and at 2 years. These preliminary findings suggest that delta sleep deficits may be associated with relatively poor outcome in this disorder.