SLEEP AND SUICIDALITY IN PSYCHOTIC-PATIENTS

The purpose of the study was to determine whether polysomnographic rap id eye movement (REM) sleep parameters distinguish between psychotic p atients with and without a history of suicidal behavior. We examined b oth hand-scored and automated measures of rapid eye movement (REM) sle ep in psychotic patients with and without a history of suicidal ideati on or attempts. Patients with suicidal behavior had significantly incr eased REM activity and time both in the whole night data and in the fi rst REM period. These findings suggest an association between REM slee p abnormalities and suicidal behavior, perhaps related to alteration i n serotonergic function.