Study On The Physiological Changes Of Sleep In The Late-life Depression

Objective: To explore the physiological changes of sleep in the late-life depressive persons.Methods: According to the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV), 15 cases of late life depressive (LOD) patients were diagnosed, matched 12 ones of controled aging persons. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) assessing the Severity of depression were performed in all people. All night polysomnigra- phic recordings were performed in all people. The main indexes were performed in all people. The main indexes were electroencephalogram, electro-oculogram, electro- myologram, parameters of anapnoea and saturation of blood oxygen. The subjective sensation of sleep during the night were collected on the next moring. So was the mental status.Results:(1) Sleeping process: In LOD patients, sleep efficiency was lower,REM latency was shorter, sleep latency was longer,the numbers of sleep phase was bigger and the Apperception during sleep process occurred more frequently.(2) Sleeping structure: Compared with control group,the time of Apperception were longer, The time of slow wave sleep shorter, REM sleep disinhibiting,and so on(P<0.05).Conclusion: (1) the physiological changes of sleep were observed in the late-life depressive pacients.(2) The changes of S2 phase and REM sleep disinhibition contributes to the diagnosis of LOD patients.