Sleep EEG spectral power is correlated with subjective-objective discrepancy of sleep onset latency in major depressive disorder.

We aimed to identify the sleep electroencephalography (EEG) spectral power correlates of the subjective-objective discrepancy (SOD) of sleep onset latency (SOL) in major depressive disorder (MDD), primary insomnia (PI), and normal sleeping control (NSC) groups. We examined relative power values in standard frequency bands of the EEG spectra during the first Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep period as correlates of SOD of SOL between sleep diary and polysomnography in MDD (n = 36), PI (n = 19), and NSC (n = 23) groups. We also compared the relative spectral power of sleep EEG among MDD (n = 40), PI (n = 19), and NSC (n = 23) groups. SOD of SOL in MDD patients was positively correlated with relative sigma (r = 0.622, p corrected < 0.001), beta power (r = 0.559, p corrected = 0.002), and alpha power (r = 0.469, p corrected = 0.024) in the first NREM sleep period. There was no significant difference of sleep EEG power spectra among the three groups. SOD was positively correlated with high frequency EEG in MDD. High frequency EEG power is thought to be associated with hyperarousal and memory consolidation, and future larger-scale studies may further elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying SOD of sleep onset duration.

Validation of a polyvinylidene fluoride impedance sensor for respiratory event classification during polysomnography.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The AASM has recommended specific sensors in measuring apnea and hypopnea based on published reliability and validity data. As new technology emerges, these guidelines will need revision. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) measures impedance and can be incorporated into a belt to approximate airflow and respiratory effort. We compared respiratory event detection using PVDF impedance belts (PVDFb), respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP), and nasal-oral pneumotachography (PNT). METHODS: First, in a clinical setting, 50 subjects (median AHI 26) undergoing polysomnography were fitted with PVDFb and standard sensors. Studies were scored in 4 independent passes using 4 respiratory montages (M); M1: nasal pressure transduction (NPT), thermistry, and RIP; M2: NPT, thermistry, and PVDFb; M3: thermistry and PVDFb; M4: PVDFb alone. Each experimental montage (M2-M4) was compared to the reference standard (M1) for total apneas and hypopneas. In a second experimental study, respiratory event detection was compared across a series of breathing trials for PVDFb, RIP, and PNT in normal subjects. Agreement was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), κ statistics, and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: ICCs comparing event numbers by M1 to M 2, 3, and 4 were: 0.99, 0.93, and 0.91, respectively. Almost identical numbers of events were identified for M 1 and M2 (177.5 ± 122.7 vs 177.6 ± 123.2). Event subtypes also were comparable. PVDFb was less sensitive than PNT but no different than RIP in detecting decreased breathing amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: PVDFb was comparable to standard RIP in determining respiratory events during polysomnography and in detecting decreased breathing amplitude, suggesting that PVDFb can be used as an alternative to RIP for apnea/hypopnea evaluation.