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REM Sleep Latency in Major Depressed
Patients Predicts Mood Improvement After
Transdermal Nicotine Administration
Rafael J.Sal�n-Pascual, M.D., Ph.D.
and Lourdes Galicia-Polo, Ph.D.
Both acute and chronic transdermal nicotine patches administration produced rapid eye
movement (REM)sleep increased in non-smoking major depressed patients as well as
clinical improvement in mood.Antidepressant effect was also observed after four
continuous days of nicotine administration in depressed patients.The main goal of the
present study was to observe the relationship between sleep variables and mood changes
after the administration of nicotine patches to non-smoking major depressed patients.
Fifteen major depressed patients (DSM-IV)were studied under the following sleep
laboratory conditions:habituation,two all-night polysomnography recordings,the first one
was baseline and the second one was the nicotine patch night.Patients were scored with
a HAMD-21 items,and should had 18 point or more for to be admitted into the study.At
baseline and post nicotine mornings,a HAMD-10 items were applied,also a side effect
scale were used after the nicotine night.A significant increase in REM sleep time and
reduction in sleep stage II was observed with nicotine patches.Ten patients improved
(reduction of 30 %in the HAMD-10),after nicotine administration.All the patients with mood
improvement had an enhancement of REM sleep above baseline.Eight out of ten
improved patients,had short REM sleep latency below 60 minutes at baseline.The
hypersensitivity of the cholinergic system may explain the sleep changes in the depressed
patients after the nicotine administration.(Sleep and Hypnosis 1999;1:32-34)
| Keywords: major depression, nicotine, antidepressants, sleep |
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