Short REM latency in impotence without depression

In a retrospective study, the presence of depression was studied in a group of 14 impotent patients who were selected on the basis of the similarity between their electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep patterns and those of patients with endogenous depression. Specifically, the value of rapid eye movement (REM) latency plus age less than 100 was used as a selection criterion. Sleep continuity disturbances, increased REM time, and increased REM% were noted in the short REM latency impotent group. On the basis of MMPI and psychiatric history and interview, only one of these impotent patients showed major depression. The authors conclude that impotent patients with a short REM latency are not, as a group, depressed and that the incidence of depression in impotent men should be determined irrespective of EEG sleep findings.