Correlation Between The Prolongation of P300 Latency during Sleep Deprivation and Personality Variables

Lee, H J; Jeon, H Y; Kim, Y K; Suh, K Y; Kim, L

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the extent of prolongation in P300 latency by sleep deprivation and personality variables.
METHODS
Eighteen healthy male college students participated in this study. Subjects remained awake for 37 hours under continuous surveillance. In the morning and evening of two consecutive study days, P300 was checked four times. MMPI and STAI-T were checked in the morning of the first day. The 18 subjects were divided into two groups according to their extent of P300 prolongation by sleep deprivation: Group A consisted of short P300 latency prolonged subjects, and group B of long latency prolonged subjects. The MMPI profiles and STAI-T scores of these two groups were compared .
RESULTS
Group B showed significantly higher scores in the Mf subscale (t=-2.16, df=16, p=0.046) and Pa subscale (t=-2.61, df=16, p=0.019) than group A. Group B also showed higher F subscale scores at a marginally significant level (t=-2.11, df=16, p=0.052).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that subjects with higher scores in F, Mf, and Pa subscales tend to have delayed cognitive process and decreased efficiency of mental process by sleep deprivation. It can be hypothesized that individuals who are sensitive, passive, dependent, and easily projecting are susceptible to the deterioration of cognitive function by total sleep deprivation.