Physiological measures in agitated and retarded depressed patients

摘要: Abstract Physiological and clinical observations were made on 35 patients with the diagnosis of primary depression moderate or severe degree. Seventeen predominantly agitated clinically, 13 retarded 5 showed neither feature. The depressed compared normal subjects matched for age sex. palmar skin conductance (sweat gland activity), pulse rate forearm extensor electromyogram recorded during presentation 20 identical 1 kHz auditory stimuli 100 dB intensity sec duration occurring at intervals ranging from 45 to 80 sec. Measures derived included level, size first GSR, habituation GSR's, number spontaneous fluctuations, EMG level. Clear-cut differences found between two major groups patients: had a high mean (more sweat activity) more fluctuations than patients. no GSR average while all but one displayed so little reactivity that their was not calculable. In these measures, values lay those diminished in depressives as values. Pulse increased only Discrimination complete respect fluctuations. results were, general, compatible view retardation agitation are independent phenomena, mutually exclusive.