A 38-year-old woman with untreated major depressive disorder undergoes polysomnography as part of a research study. Which polysomnographic finding is most characteristic of depression-related sleep architecture changes?

• A Prolonged REM latency
• B Increased slow-wave sleep in the first NREM cycle
• C Shortened REM latency with increased REM density ✓
• D Complete absence of sleep spindles

Explanation

The hallmark polysomnographic findings in major depression include shortened REM latency (reduced time from sleep onset to first REM period), increased REM density (frequency of rapid eye movements during REM), and reduced slow-wave sleep. Prolonged REM latency is seen in narcolepsy and with REM-suppressing medications.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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