Sleep and neuroendocrine disturbances in catatonia. A case report

Sleep EEG investigations were performed in a 31-year-old catatonic male patient before and after electroconvulsive therapy and 3 months after recovery. The dexamethasone suppression test was also performed longitudinally together with measurements of CSF 5-HIAA, HVA and 24-h urinary MHPG. A normal male control aged 32 was also investigated. Sleep analysis showed reduced REM latency and increased REM activity and density during the catatonic phase before treatment when compared to the age-matched control. REM latency remained shortened after recovery following ECT treatment and 3 months after recovery. Dexamethasone suppression test, abnormal before treatment normalized with clinical improvement during ECT. Urinary MHPG values were low in the catatonic state and did not change after ECT treatment. CSF HVA and 5-HIAA were also low in the pretreatment period and increased during the 3 months follow-up period. There results indicate that some cases of catatonic behavior may be linked to affective disorders.