Abstract

Introduction

Materials & Methods

Results

Discussion & Conclusion

References

Discussion
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Within the framework of non-linear dynamics, it has been proposed that transition between a healthy behavior towards a pathological one could be related to a bifurcation, e.g. the transition between a chaotic behavior to a periodic one, or vice versa. This phenomena is called "dynamical diseases" (ref. 2, 5, 6). From a dynamical point of view, physiological modifications observed in depression (circadian rhythm : ref. 15, cortisol secretion : ref. 3, melatonine secretion : ref. 13 or electroencephalogram : ref. 7, 8) have been considered as landmarks of a "dynamical disease" expressed both at physiological and behavioral levels (ref. 2). Since this process can not be experimentally observed, we studied the clinical improvement in depressed patients during their treatment. We hypothesized that a bifurcation from a pathological brain dynamics towards a healthy one could occur in accordance with clinical changes. In order to test this hypothesis, our study quantifies one of the main characteristics of depression (i.e. painful mood) and brain dynamics every two days during therapy. We then investigated the relation between brain dynamics' modifications and clinical improvement.

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