REM latency and core temperature relationships in primary depression.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case-control study with longitudinal follow-up after recovery
PubMed 3788654 · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1986.tb06244.x
What was done
REM latency, rectal temperature, and ear canal temperature were measured simultaneously in 9 patients with primary depression and 11 healthy controls. Seven of the depressed patients were re-evaluated after clinical recovery.
What was found
Depressed patients showed shorter REM latency and higher nocturnal rectal and ear canal temperatures compared to controls, with REM latency lengthening and temperatures decreasing upon recovery (exact values and p-values not reported). REM latency was negatively correlated with nocturnal rectal temperature across all nights in depressed patients (r = -0.44) and across all subjects combined (r = -0.44). In controls, REM latency was negatively correlated with nocturnal ear canal temperature (r = -0.34). Timing of the temperature rhythm did not correlate with REM latency.
Why it matters
This study links thermoregulatory abnormalities with REM sleep disturbances in depression, suggesting that nocturnal hyperthermia and shortened REM latency are state-dependent markers that normalize with clinical remission.
Limits
The sample size is very small (9 depressed patients, 7 studied upon recovery, and 11 controls). The abstract does not report baseline demographic characteristics, medication status, absolute temperature and latency values, or statistical significance tests for group comparisons.
Cited by
- supports Medically healthy depressed individuals exhibit chronic elevations in core body temperature, particularly at night.