First-cycle REM density in never-depressed subjects with borderline personality disorder

Background: There is much interest in the identification of polysomnographic markers of liability to the mood disorders that may predate the onset of illness in high-risk subjects, and/or remain altered after remission. One such putative marker is rapid eye movement (REM) density during the first REM period. Methods: Never-depressed subjects with borderline personality disorder (BPD) asa group at high risk for the mood disorders were compared by continuous 48-hour ambulatory electroencephalographic monitoring to age- and gender-matched controls. Results: Subjects with BPD had significantly higher REM density during the first REM period. One man with BPD who later committed:suicide had REM density values exceeding the mean value of his group by 2 SD. Conclusions: These data extend the view that REM density in the first REM period can be a marker of liability to the mood disorders, as it is present in a group of young subjects at heightened risk for depression. (C) 1999 Society of Biological Psychiatry.