Posted by linkadge on September 6, 2006, at 13:58:12
In reply to Re: Most depressed in morning, posted by nicky847 on September 6, 2006, at 11:44:37
I think that sleep regulates the cholinergic/noradrenergic axis. Supposedly stress leads to an increase in the sensitivity of the cholinergic axis. The increase in REM sleep may be a compensatory mechanism to try and process the change in stressfull events.
At any rate, too much REM sleep will lead to a cholinergic dominance over the monamines. As a result, one wakes depressed, emotionally and physically. You wake feeling "below" your problems, as opposed to on top of them.
The cycle continues though, since a lack of restul, rejuvinating sleep hampers the brains ability to get on top of its problems, which then again leads to enhanced REM sleep.
An antidepressant might break the cycle. Though, if the drug causes too much lethargy, cognitive problems, etc, it may actually hamper the ability to get on top of things, leading to more long term impairment.Even in the absence of stress though, some people may have a disposition towards enhanced REM, and subseqent depression. I think one study I read showed that bipolars were much more senstive to cholinergic agonists given right before bedtime, than reguar people.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:681986
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060901/msgs/683695.html