Tricyclic antidepressants are typically associated with which alteration in a PSG recording?

Tricyclic antidepressants are known to have a significant impact on sleep architecture, specifically affecting the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep phase. When patients are treated with tricyclic antidepressants, there is an observed increase in REM latency, meaning that it takes longer for individuals to enter REM sleep after falling asleep. This alteration occurs because these medications inhibit the REM sleep cycle, reducing the amount of time spent in this critical stage of sleep.

Understanding the effects of tricyclic antidepressants is important for polysomnographic technologists, as they can help interpret sleep studies more accurately. While these medications can also have various effects on sleep stages, including possible reductions in deep sleep and changes in overall sleep patterns, the most consistent and widely documented alteration is the increase in REM latency. This particular modification can affect the clinical management of patients who are undergoing sleep studies, as it can indicate how medications are influencing their sleep health.