Effects of prolonged stage four and 1-REM sleep deprivation

Robert L. Williams, H. W. Agnew, Wilse B. Webb, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine

Measurements of the sleep EEG and measurements of personality variables revealed that two types of sleep deprivation (stage 4 sleep and 1-REM) are quite different. Stage 4 deprivation resulted in a sharp increase in stage 2 on deprivation nights while 1-REM deprivation resulted in an increase in stage 1 without rapid eye movements. Stage 4 deprivation produced a depressive psychological profile in the subjects while 1-REM deprivation resulted in a state of increased irritability and emotional lability.