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Abstract
To determine an age-adjusted, clinically meaningful depressive diathesis, we have
implemented Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis for mean rapid eye movement
(REM) latency in patients with unipolar depression. Depressed patients were compared
with age-matched normal control subjects. Sensitivity and specificity estimates were
calculated for selected threshold values on the ROC curves as well as for the Research
Diagnostic Criteria endogenous/nonendogenous subtype. The mean REM latency value of
65.0-66.0 min was most sensitive and specific for depressed patients aged 35-72. The
threshold value of 70.0 min appeared optimally sensitive and specific for depressed
patients aged 20-34. There was no effect of age on REM latency in the normal control
sample. Among depressed patients there was an effect of age but this was clearly observable
only in nonendogenous depressed patients.