AUDITORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS (N1,P2,P3) IN DEPRESSIVE RESPONDERS OF SLEEP-DEPRIVATION IN COMPARISON WITH NONRESPONDERS

Object of this study was to test if there are any differences in neuro physiological parameters between depressive responders of sleep depriv ation and non-responders, for gaining more predictable criteria. The s uccess of sleep deprivation predominantly with serotonergically dysreg ulated depressions is subject to debate. Due to serotonin-dysregulatio n, typical changes of the late AEP are discussed. 26 patients (ICD 9: 296.1: 20 patients, 296.3: 6 patients) were investigated in this study . The day before and day 1 and 2 after total sleep deprivation the P3 and - by the N1/P2-amplitude - the amplitude-intensity-function were d erived. A significant difference between responders and non-responders regarding the P3-amplitude could not be confirmed. The day after slee p deprivation the entire group of all patients showed a significant de crease of the P3-amplitude in comparison to the day before. On the oth er hand the day before sleep deprivation the latency of P3 of the resp onders was significantly prolonged in comparison to the non-responders . So the P3-latency has a predictable value for a following sleep depr ivation. Regarding the amplitude-intensity-function there was no diffe rence before sleep deprivation. The entire group showed an evident aug menter-tendency. On the contrary the second day after sleep deprivatio n the responders in opposition to the nonresponders were reducers from 60 to 70 dB in the frontal area.