SLEEP EEG OF PATIENTS WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Twenty-two patients suffering from an obsessive and compulsive disorde r (OCD) according to DSM-III-R were investigated by polysomnographic s leep EEG recordings under drug-free conditions and compared to age- an d sex-matched healthy controls. Sleep efficiency was significantly low er and wake % SPT was significantly increased in the patient group com pared to healthy subjects. Sleep architecture did not differ among the two samples. Especially REM sleep measures, in particular, REM latenc y did not differ among the groups. No positive correlation was found b etween sleep variables and rating inventories for obsession and compul sions (Y-BOCS), depression (Hamilton) and anxiety (CAS). A secondary d epression did not influence sleep EEG variables. The results of this s tudy contradict the assumption that OCD patients show REM sleep and sl ow wave sleep abnormalities similar to those shown by patients with pr imary depression.