Catecholamines, a Dream Sleep Model, and Depression
TREVOR N. ISKANDER M.B., CH.B.1, and
RUDOLF KAELBLING M.D.2
1 Private practice in Chelmsford, Essex, England
2 Professor of psychiatry, Ohio State University College of Medicine, 410 West 10th Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43210
Chemically reduced catecholamine levels in cats unexpectedly resulted in an increase in paradoxical sleep. This and the probability that catecholamine disturbances are involved in depressive illness led the authors to theorize on the role of paradoxical sleep in the mechanisms maintaining emotions and behavior. A new theoretical model, based on physiological data, is proposed in which paradoxical sleep is considered to provide a release mechanism for the dissipation of the inhibited activity that results from the modification of behavior by discrimination. The authors review some features of sleep and depression in light of these theoretical considerations.
