Sleep Architecture and REM Sleep Measures in Prepubertal Major Depressives

Abstract
• The sleep of 28 fully recovered, drug-free, prepubertal patients with major depressive disorder was recorded for three consecutive nights in the laboratory. Recovered depressives had significantly shorter first rapid eye movement period (REMP) latencies and a higher number of REMPs compared with themselves when depressed and with nondepressed neurotic and normal children. In addition, most sleep continuity measures improved considerably on recovery. We suggest that a short first REMP latency may be a marker of past episode or of trait in prepubertal major depressives.

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