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Comparison of effects of desipramine and amitriptyline on EEG sleep of depressed patients

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Abstract

Despite their widespread use, there are few data concerning the effects of tricyclic antidepressants on EEG sleep in depression. The present study documented the effects of desipramine (DMI, n=17) and amitriptyline (AT, n=16) upon EEG sleep in hospitalized depressed patients as part of a double-blind protocol involving 28 days of active treatment. Compared to placebo, patients receiving DMI showed somewhat worsened sleep continuity, particularly after 1 week of administration when the dose was 150 mg/day. On the other hand, sleep architecture and REM measures showed a rapid suppression of REM sleep, and then partial tolerance for this effect was observed with continued administration of DMI for 3 weeks. DMI was a more potent suppressor of REM sleep, while AT was more sedative. Based on these differences in effects upon EEG sleep, a discriminant function was derived and resulted in a correct classification of 87.5% of AT cases and 76.5% of DMI cases. These results are discussed in terms of the differences in pharmacological profiels for uptake blockade and anticholinergic potency for these two compounds.

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Shipley, J.E., Kupfer, D.J., Griffin, S.J. et al. Comparison of effects of desipramine and amitriptyline on EEG sleep of depressed patients. Psychopharmacology 85, 14–22 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427316

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427316

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