[Humoral aspects of sleep deprivation]

The effects of an antidepressant sleep deprivation on humoral systems and neurotransmitter systems are reviewed (cortisol, endorphins, thyroidea, growth hormone, prolactin, catecholamines, sexual hormones, melatonin, serotonin). The main results are: Depressed patients have a physiological response similar to controls with some differences between responders and nonresponders (responders are more similar to controls). TSH is more activated in responders than in nonresponders. The dopamine system is more activated in responders than in nonresponders and less activated in responders before sleep deprivation. The glucocorticoid-axis in more activated in responders after sleep deprivation. In conclusion, patients who profit from sleep deprivation can activate systems correlated with arousal or stress.