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Campillo-Ferrer T, Alcaraz-Sánchez A, Demšar E, Wu HP, Dresler M, Windt J, Blanke O. Out-of-body experiences in relation to lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis: A theoretical review and conceptual model. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105770. [PMID: 38880408 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are characterized by the subjective experience of being located outside the physical body. Little is known about the neurophysiology of spontaneous OBEs, which are often reported by healthy individuals as occurring during states of reduced vigilance, particularly in proximity to or during sleep (sleep-related OBEs). In this paper, we review the current state of research on sleep-related OBEs and hypothesize that maintaining consciousness during transitions from wakefulness to REM sleep (sleep-onset REM periods) may facilitate sleep-related OBEs. Based on this hypothesis, we propose a new conceptual model that potentially describes the relationship between OBEs and sleep states. The model sheds light on the phenomenological differences between sleep-related OBEs and similar states of consciousness, such as lucid dreaming (the realization of being in a dream state) and sleep paralysis (feeling paralyzed while falling asleep or waking up), and explores the potential polysomnographic features underlying sleep-related OBEs. Additionally, we apply the predictive coding framework and suggest a connecting link between sleep-related OBEs and OBEs reported during wakefulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Campillo-Ferrer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Adriana Alcaraz-Sánchez
- Centre for Philosophical Psychology, Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ema Demšar
- Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University, Department of Philosophy, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hsin-Ping Wu
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute & Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martin Dresler
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Windt
- Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University, Department of Philosophy, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Olaf Blanke
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute & Brain Mind Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
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Faerman A, Nabasny A, Wright B, Juengst SB. Associations of Nightmares and Sleep Disturbance With Neurobehavioral Symptoms Postconcussion. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2024; 39:E105-E112. [PMID: 38709831 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigates the association of nightmares beyond general sleep disturbance on neurobehavioral symptoms in adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). DESIGN Secondary analysis of a concussion cohort study. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and eleven adults older than 20 years with mTBI were recruited from a specialized concussion treatment center. MAIN MEASURES Behavioral Assessment Screening Tool, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and self-report of nightmare frequency in the past 2 weeks. RESULTS Among adults with mTBI, nightmares accounted for the greatest amount of variability in negative affect (β = .362, P < .001), anxiety (β = .332, P < .001), and impulsivity (β = .270, P < .001) after adjusting for age and sex. Overall sleep disturbance had the strongest association with depression (β = .493, P < .001), fatigue (β = .449, P < .001), self-reported executive dysfunction (β = .376, P < .001), and overall burden from concussive symptoms (β = .477, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Nightmares and sleep disturbance are differentially associated with variance in neurobehavioral symptoms. Nightmares were independently associated with neurobehavioral symptoms representing an excess of normal functioning (eg, anxiety, impulsivity), while general sleep disturbance was associated with neurobehavioral symptoms representing functioning below normal levels (eg, depression, fatigue, self-reported executive dysfunction). Clinical and research implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afik Faerman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California (Dr Faerman); Departments of Applied Clinical Research (Mr Nabasny and Dr Wright) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Drs Wright and Juengst), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Brain Injury Research Center, TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, Texas (Dr Juengst); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UT Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, Texas (Dr Juengst)
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Lee Y, Park D, Kim S, Shin C, Suh S. Association of nightmares with cardio-cerebrovascular disease, hypertension and hyperlipidemia in older adults: A population-based cross-sectional study. J Psychosom Res 2024; 182:111669. [PMID: 38788282 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship of nightmares with cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hypertension and hyperlipidemia which are major preceding diseases of CVD in older adults. METHODS Participants (n = 2824; mean age 63.6 ± 6.6 years, females 49.3%) completed the Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI), which was used to divide the sample into either the Nightmare or Non-Nightmare group (cut-off score ≥ 10). Demographic information, history of CVD (cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and self-report questionnaires about stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and insomnia symptoms were also collected. RESULTS Among the sample, 379 participants (13.4%) reported experiencing nightmares more than once a year, and 73 participants (2.6%) were classified as having nightmare disorder based on DDNSI scores (≥10). 11.3% of participants (n = 319) reported having more than one CVD. Approximately half of the participants reported a history of hypertension (52.1%, n = 1471) and hyperlipidemia (47.7%, n = 1346). Logistic regression analysis indicated the Nightmare group was 2.04 times at higher risk for hyperlipidemia (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.22-3.40, p = .006) after controlling for covariates compared to the Non-Nightmare group. Although non-significant, there was a trend toward a higher risk of hypertension in the Nightmare group (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 0.99-2.84, p = .056). CONCLUSIONS Results of this study indicate frequent nightmares in older adults may be associated with hyperlipidemia, which are risk factors for CVD. Further studies are needed to explore nightmares' directionality and health consequences in an aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjin Lee
- Department of Psychology, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dasom Park
- Department of Psychology, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soriul Kim
- Institute of Human Genomic Study, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chol Shin
- Institute of Human Genomic Study, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Biomedical Research Center, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sooyeon Suh
- Department of Psychology, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Tomacsek V, Blaskovich B, Király A, Reichardt R, Simor P. Altered parasympathetic activity during sleep and emotionally arousing wakefulness in frequent nightmare recallers. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 274:265-277. [PMID: 36862312 PMCID: PMC10914885 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01573-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Nightmare disorder is characterized by dysfunctional emotion regulation and poor subjective sleep quality reflected in pathophysiological features such as abnormal arousal processes and sympathetic influences. Dysfunctional parasympathetic regulation, especially before and during rapid eye movement (REM) phases, is assumed to alter heart rate (HR) and its variability (HRV) of frequent nightmare recallers (NM). We hypothesized that cardiac variability is attenuated in NMs as opposed to healthy controls (CTL) during sleep, pre-sleep wakefulness and under an emotion-evoking picture-rating task. Based on the polysomnographic recordings of 24 NM and 30 CTL participants, we examined HRV during pre-REM, REM, post-REM and slow wave sleep, separately. Additionally, electrocardiographic recordings of resting state before sleep onset and under an emotionally challenging picture-rating task were also analyzed. Applying repeated measures analysis of variance (rmANOVA), a significant difference was found in the HR of NMs and CTLs during nocturnal segments but not during resting wakefulness, suggesting autonomic dysregulation, specifically during sleep in NMs. As opposed to the HR, the HRV values were not significantly different in the rmANOVA in the two groups, implying that the extent of parasympathetic dysregulation on a trait level might depend on the severeness of dysphoric dreaming. Nonetheless, in the group comparisons, the NM group showed increased HR and reduced HRV during the emotion-evoking picture-rating task, which aimed to model the nightmare experience in the daytime, indicating disrupted emotion regulation in NMs under acute distress. In conclusion, trait-like autonomic changes during sleep and state-like autonomic responses to emotion-evoking pictures indicate parasympathetic dysregulation in NMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Tomacsek
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest, 1064, Hungary.
| | - Borbála Blaskovich
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Király
- National Institute of Locomotor Diseases and Disabilities, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Richárd Reichardt
- Institute of Education and Psychology at Szombathely, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Simor
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 46 Izabella Street, Budapest, 1064, Hungary
- UR2NF, Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Unit at CRCN-Center for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences and UNI-ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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Černý F, Piorecká V, Kliková M, Kopřivová J, Bušková J, Piorecký M. All-night spectral and microstate EEG analysis in patients with recurrent isolated sleep paralysis. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1321001. [PMID: 38389790 PMCID: PMC10882627 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1321001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP) has yet to be fully clarified. Very little research has been performed on electroencephalographic (EEG) signatures outside RISP episodes. This study aimed to investigate whether sleep is disturbed even without the occurrence of a RISP episode and in a stage different than conventional REM sleep. 17 RISP patients and 17 control subjects underwent two consecutive full-night video-polysomnography recordings. Spectral analysis was performed on all sleep stages in the delta, theta, and alpha band. EEG microstate (MS) analysis was performed on the NREM 3 phase due to the overall high correlation of subject template maps with canonical templates. Spectral analysis showed a significantly higher power of theta band activity in REM and NREM 2 sleep stages in RISP patients. The observed rise was also apparent in other sleep stages. Conversely, alpha power showed a downward trend in RISP patients' deep sleep. MS maps similar to canonical topographies were obtained indicating the preservation of prototypical EEG generators in RISP patients. RISP patients showed significant differences in the temporal dynamics of MS, expressed by different transitions between MS C and D and between MS A and B. Both spectral analysis and MS characteristics showed abnormalities in the sleep of non-episodic RISP subjects. Our findings suggest that in order to understand the neurobiological background of RISP, there is a need to extend the analyzes beyond REM-related processes and highlight the value of EEG microstate dynamics as promising functional biomarkers of RISP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Černý
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czechia
- Sleep and Chronobiology Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Václava Piorecká
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czechia
- Sleep and Chronobiology Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Monika Kliková
- Sleep and Chronobiology Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Jana Kopřivová
- Sleep and Chronobiology Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jitka Bušková
- Sleep and Chronobiology Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marek Piorecký
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czechia
- Sleep and Chronobiology Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
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Bergmann M, Högl B, Stefani A. Clinical neurophysiology of REM parasomnias: Diagnostic aspects and insights into pathophysiology. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2024; 9:53-62. [PMID: 38328386 PMCID: PMC10847011 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasomnias are due to a transient unstable state dissociation during entry into sleep, within sleep, or during arousal from sleep, and manifest with abnormal sleep related behaviors, perceptions, emotions, dreams, and autonomic nervous system activity. Rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnias include REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), isolated recurrent sleep paralysis and nightmare disorder. Neurophysiology is key for diagnosing these disorders and provides insights into their pathophysiology. RBD is very well characterized from a neurophysiological point of view, also thank to the fact that polysomnography is needed for the diagnosis. Diagnostic criteria are provided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and video-polysomnography guidelines for the diagnosis by the International REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Study Group. Differences between the two sets of criteria are presented and discussed. Availability of polysomnography in RBD provides data on sleep electroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG) and electromyography (EMG). Sleep EEG in RBD shows e.g. changes in delta and theta power, in sleep spindles and K complexes. EMG during REM sleep is essential for RBD diagnosis and is an important neurodegeneration biomarker. RBD patients present alterations also in wake EEG, autonomic function, evoked potentials, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Clinical neurophysiological data on recurrent isolated sleep paralysis and nightmare disorder are scant. The few available data provide insights into the pathophysiology of these disorders, demonstrating a state dissociation in recurrent isolated sleep paralysis and suggesting alterations in sleep macro- and microstructure as well as autonomic changes in nightmare disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Bergmann
- Department of Neurology, Sleep Laboratory, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Birgit Högl
- Department of Neurology, Sleep Laboratory, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ambra Stefani
- Department of Neurology, Sleep Laboratory, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
- Neurological Clinical Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
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Campbell AA, Taylor KA, Augustine AV, Sherwood A, Wu JQ, Beckham JC, Hoerle JM, Ulmer CS. Nightmares: an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease? Sleep 2023; 46:zsad089. [PMID: 36996027 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Prior work has established associations between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disrupted sleep, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but few studies have examined health correlates of nightmares beyond risks conferred by PTSD. This study examined associations between nightmares and CVD in military veterans. METHODS Participants were veterans (N = 3468; 77% male) serving since September 11, 2001, aged 38 years (SD = 10.4); approximately 30% were diagnosed with PTSD. Nightmare frequency and severity were assessed using the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS). Self-reported medical issues were assessed using the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study Self-report Medical Questionnaire. Mental health disorders were established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. The sample was stratified by the presence or absence of PTSD. Within-group associations between nightmare frequency and severity and self-reported CVD conditions, adjusting for age, sex, race, current smoking, depression, and sleep duration. RESULTS Frequent and severe nightmares during the past week were endorsed by 32% and 35% of participants, respectively. Those endorsing nightmares that were frequent, severe, and the combination thereof were more likely to also evidence high blood pressure (ORs 1.42, OR 1.56, and OR 1.47, respectively) and heart problems (OR 1.43, OR 1.48, and OR 1.59, respectively) after adjusting for PTSD diagnosis and other covariates. CONCLUSIONS Nightmare frequency and severity among veterans are associated with cardiovascular conditions, even after controlling for PTSD diagnosis. Study findings suggest that nightmares may be an independent risk factor for CVD. Additional research is needed to validate these findings using confirmed diagnoses and explore potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenneth A Taylor
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ann V Augustine
- Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Sherwood
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jade Q Wu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jean C Beckham
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Veterans Affairs VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Hoerle
- Veterans Affairs VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christi S Ulmer
- Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Durham Veterans Affairs Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT), Durham, NC, USA
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Mäder T, Oliver KI, Daffre C, Kim S, Orr SP, Lasko NB, Seo J, Kleim B, Pace-Schott EF. Autonomic activity, posttraumatic and nontraumatic nightmares, and PTSD after trauma exposure. Psychol Med 2023; 53:731-740. [PMID: 34127168 PMCID: PMC9121310 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721002075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nightmares are a hallmark symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This strong association may reflect a shared pathophysiology in the form of altered autonomic activity and increased reactivity. Using an acoustic startle paradigm, we investigated the interrelationships of psychophysiological measures during wakefulness and PTSD diagnosis, posttraumatic nightmares, and nontraumatic nightmares. METHODS A community sample of 122 trauma survivors were presented with a series of brief loud tones, while heart rate (HRR), skin conductance (SCR), and orbicularis oculi electromyogram (EMGR) responses were measured. Prior to the tone presentations, resting heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed. Nightmares were measured using nightmare logs. Three dichotomous groupings of participants were compared: (1) current PTSD diagnosis (n = 59), no PTSD diagnosis (n = 63), (2) those with (n = 26) or without (n = 96) frequent posttraumatic nightmares, and (3) those with (n = 22) or without (n = 100) frequent nontraumatic nightmares. RESULTS PTSD diagnosis was associated with posttraumatic but not with nontraumatic nightmares. Both PTSD and posttraumatic nightmares were associated with a larger mean HRR to loud tones, whereas nontraumatic nightmare frequency was associated with a larger SCR. EMGR and resting HRV were not associated with PTSD diagnosis or nightmares. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a shared pathophysiology between PTSD and posttraumatic nightmares in the form of increased HR reactivity to startling tones, which might reflect reduced parasympathetic tone. This shared pathophysiology could explain why PTSD is more strongly related to posttraumatic than nontraumatic nightmares, which could have important clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Mäder
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katelyn I. Oliver
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Carolina Daffre
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Sophie Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Scott P. Orr
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Natasha B. Lasko
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jeehye Seo
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Birgit Kleim
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Centre Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edward Franz Pace-Schott
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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Correia ATL, Lipinska G, Rauch HGL, Forshaw PE, Roden LC, Rae DE. Associations between sleep-related heart rate variability and both sleep and symptoms of depression and anxiety: A systematic review. Sleep Med 2023; 101:106-117. [PMID: 36370515 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
There is a bidirectional relationship between poor sleep and both mood- and anxiety-related disorders, which are among leading global health concerns. Additionally, both disordered sleep and these psychiatric disorders appear to be independently associated with altered autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. We hypothesise that ANS dysregulation during sleep may explain part of the relationship between poor sleep and mood- and anxiety-related disorders. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a frequently used marker of ANS function and gives an indication of ANS input to the heart - in particular, of the relative contributions of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science yielded 41 studies dealing with sleep, mood- and anxiety-related disorders and sleep-related HRV. Hyperarousal during sleep, reflecting a predominance of sympathetic activation and indicative of ANS dysregulation, may be an important factor in the association between poor sleep and mood-related disorders. Longitudinal studies and mediation analyses are necessary to further understand the potential mediating role of ANS dysregulation on the relationship between poor sleep and mood- and anxiety-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arron T L Correia
- Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre & Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Gosia Lipinska
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - H G Laurie Rauch
- Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre & Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Philippa E Forshaw
- Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre & Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Laura C Roden
- Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre & Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Research Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, United Kingdom
| | - Dale E Rae
- Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre & Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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He Y, Liu W, Lin S, Li Z, Qiu H, Yim SHL, Chuang H, Ho K. Association of traffic air pollution with severity of obstructive sleep apnea in urban areas of Northern Taiwan: A cross-sectional study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 827:154347. [PMID: 35257757 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although recent studies have indicated an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and air pollution, they have reported inconsistent results. Moreover, few studies investigated the effects of short-term air pollution exposure. OBJECTIVE To estimate the health effects of short- and long-term exposure to traffic air pollution on mild OSA in Taipei. METHODS We collected participants' data from Taipei Sleep Center and air pollution data from Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. A spatiotemporal model was used to estimate the individual exposure level. Generalized linear models were used to assess the percent change of overall apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), AHI in rapid eye movement period (AHI-REM), AHI in non-REM (AHI-NREM), and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) associated with an interquartile (IQR) increase in personal pollution exposure. A generalized logistic model was used to estimate the ORs of different severities of OSA compared with the reference group. RESULTS In the patients with AHI of <15, both short- and long-term exposure to NO2 were significantly associated with AHI and ODI increases: an IQR increase in 2-year mean NO2 increased 7.3% of AHI and 8.4% of ODI; these values were the highest among all exposure windows. The effects of NO2 on AHI increase were stronger in the men and younger patients. Moreover, the association between AHI and NO2 in the patients with AHI of <15 was mediated by the REM stage. NO2 exposure was associated with an increased risk of mild OSA that reached up to 24.8% per IQR increase in NO2 averaged over 2 years. PM2.5 exerted no effects on AHI, but an IQR increase in 1-year and 2-year mean PM2.5 was associated with 6.8% and 8.8% increases in ODI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Both short- and long-term exposure to traffic air pollution were associated with the risk of mild OSA, which was modified by REM stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansu He
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wente Liu
- Research Center of Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shangyang Lin
- Research Center of Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Zhiyuan Li
- Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hong Qiu
- Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Steve Hung Lam Yim
- The Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Hsiaochi Chuang
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kinfai Ho
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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11
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Bogdány T, Perakakis P, Bódizs R, Simor P. The heartbeat evoked potential is a questionable biomarker in nightmare disorder: A replication study. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 33:102933. [PMID: 34990964 PMCID: PMC8743245 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Perogamvros et al. (2013) examined heart beat evoked potential (HEP) in nightmare sufferers. Increased HEP was proposed to be a robust biomarker in nightmare disorder. We aimed to replicate the original study in two separate and larger databases. We did not confirm the original finding showing differential HEP in REM sleep. Our data cast doubts on the utility of HEP as a biomarker in nightmare disorder.
Frequent nightmares are highly prevalent and constitute a risk factor for a wide range of psychopathological conditions. Despite its prevalence and clinical relevance however, the pathophysiological mechanisms of nightmares are poorly understood. A recent study (Perogamvros et, al 2019) examined the heart beat evoked potential (HEP) in a small group of nightmare sufferers (N = 11) and matched healthy controls (N = 11) and observed markedly different (Hedges’ g = 1.42 [0.62–2.22]) HEP response across the groups during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Moreover, the HEP correlated with depression scores in the nightmare group only. The authors concluded that the HEP in REM sleep could be used as a trait-like biomarker reflecting pathological emotional-and sleep regulation in nightmare disorder. To replicate the above study, we performed the same analyses of HEPs in two separate, and larger databases comprising the polysomnographic recordings of nightmare sufferers and matched controls (NStudy 1 = 39 ; NStudy 2 = 41). In contrast to the original findings, we did not observe significant differences in HEP across the two groups in either of the two databases. Moreover, we found no associations between depression scores and HEP amplitudes in the relevant spatiotemporal cluster. Our data cast doubts on the utility of HEP as a biomarker in the diagnostic and treatment procedures of nightmare disorder and suggests that the interpretation of HEP as a marker of impaired arousal and emotional processing during REM sleep is premature and requires further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Bogdány
- Doctoral School of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pandelis Perakakis
- Department of Social, Work, and Differential Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Róbert Bódizs
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; National Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Simor
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; UR2NF, Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Unit at CRCN - Center for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences and UNI - ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
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12
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Nardelli M, Catrambone V, Grandi G, Banfi T, Bruno RM, Scilingo EP, Faraguna U, Valenza G. Activation of brain-heart axis during REM sleep: a trigger for dreaming. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021; 321:R951-R959. [PMID: 34704848 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00306.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Dreams may be recalled after awakening from sleep following a defined electroencephalographic pattern that involves local decreases in low-frequency activity in the posterior cortical regions. While a dreaming experience implies bodily changes at many organ-, system-, and timescale-levels, the entity and causal role of such peripheral changes in a conscious dream experience are unknown. We performed a comprehensive, causal, multivariate analysis of physiological signals acquired during REM sleep at night, including high-density EEG and peripheral dynamics including electrocardiography and blood pressure. In this preliminary study, we investigated multiple recalls and non-recalls of dream experiences using data from nine healthy volunteers. The aim was not only to investigate the changes in central and autonomic dynamics associated with dream recalls and non-recalls, but also to characterize the central-peripheral dynamical and (causal) directional interactions, and the temporal relations of the related arousals upon awakening. We uncovered a brain-body network that drives a conscious dreaming experience that acts with specific interaction and time delays. Such a network is sustained by the blood pressure dynamics and the increasing functional information transfer from the neural heartbeat regulation to the brain. We conclude that bodily changes play a crucial and causative role in a conscious dream experience during REM sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mimma Nardelli
- Bioengineering and Robotics Research Centre E. Piaggio and Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Catrambone
- Bioengineering and Robotics Research Centre E. Piaggio and Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Grandi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Tommaso Banfi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Bruno
- INSERM U970 Team 7, Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre - PARCC, University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Enzo Pasquale Scilingo
- Bioengineering and Robotics Research Centre E. Piaggio and Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Ugo Faraguna
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Italy.,Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gaetano Valenza
- Bioengineering and Robotics Research Centre E. Piaggio and Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
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13
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Marquis LP, Julien SH, Daneault V, Blanchette-Carrière C, Paquette T, Carr M, Soucy JP, Montplaisir J, Nielsen T. Local Neuronal Synchronization in Frequent Nightmare Recallers and Healthy Controls: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:645255. [PMID: 33815047 PMCID: PMC8012764 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.645255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Nightmares are highly dysphoric dreams that are well-remembered upon awakening. Frequent nightmares have been associated with psychopathology and emotional dysregulation, yet their neural mechanisms remain largely unknown. Our neurocognitive model posits that nightmares reflect dysfunction in a limbic-prefrontal circuit comprising medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices, hippocampus, and amygdala. However, there is a paucity of studies that used brain imaging to directly test the neural correlates of nightmares. One such study compared the regional homogeneity (ReHo) of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging blood-oxygen level-dependent signals between frequent nightmare recallers and controls. The main results were greater regional homogeneity in the left anterior cingulate cortex and right inferior parietal lobule for the nightmare recallers than for the controls. In the present study, we aimed to document the ReHo correlates of frequent nightmares using several nightmare severity measures. We acquired resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 18 frequent nightmare recallers aged 18-35 (3 males and 15 females) and 18 age- and sex-matched controls, as well as retrospective and prospective disturbed dreaming frequency estimates and scores on the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire. While there were inconsistent results for our different analyses (group comparisons, correlational analyses for frequency estimates/Nightmare Distress scores), our results suggest that nightmares are associated with altered ReHo in frontal (medial prefrontal and inferior frontal), parietal, temporal and occipital regions, as well as some subcortical regions (thalamus). We also found a positive correlation between retrospective disturbed dreaming frequency estimates and ReHo values in the hippocampus. These findings are mostly in line with a recent SPECT study from our laboratory. Our results point to the possibility that a variety of regions, including but not limited to the limbic-prefrontal circuit of our neurocognitive model, contribute to nightmare formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis-Philippe Marquis
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah-Hélène Julien
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Véronique Daneault
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cloé Blanchette-Carrière
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tyna Paquette
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michelle Carr
- Department of Psychiatry, Sleep & Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | | | - Jacques Montplaisir
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tore Nielsen
- Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, CIUSSS-NÎM – Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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14
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Abstract
Nightmare disorder and recurrent isolated sleep paralysis are rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnias that cause significant distress to those who suffer from them. Nightmare disorder can cause insomnia due to fear of falling asleep through dread of nightmare occurrence. Hyperarousal and impaired fear extinction are involved in nightmare generation, as well as brain areas involved in emotion regulation. Nightmare disorder is particularly frequent in psychiatric disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Nonmedication treatment, in particular imagery rehearsal therapy, is especially effective. Isolated sleep paralysis is experienced at least once by up to 40% of the general population, whereas recurrence is less frequent. Isolated sleep paralysis can be accompanied by very intense and vivid hallucinations. Sleep paralysis represents a dissociated state, with persistence of REM atonia into wakefulness. Variations in circadian rhythm genes might be involved in their pathogenesis. Predisposing factors include sleep deprivation, irregular sleep-wake schedules, and jetlag. The most effective therapy consists of avoiding those factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Stefani
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Birgit Högl
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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15
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Park D, Kim S, Shin C, Suh S. Prevalence of and factors associated with nightmares in the elderly in a population based cohort study. Sleep Med 2020; 78:15-23. [PMID: 33373930 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Nightmares are extremely unpleasant and vivid recurring dreams that are accompanied with awakening during sleep. However, earlier studies were mostly conducted with children and adults, with very few studies on nightmares in older adults. This population-based study aims to investigate the prevalence of nightmares and its associated factors nightmares in the elderly. METHODS This study utilized a subsample from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES). Participants (n = 2940; mean age 63.71 ± 6.73) completed the questionnaires on nightmares (Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index; DDNSI), depression, suicidal ideation, sleep quality and stress. RESULTS Among the sample, 2.7% (n = 79) were classified into the nightmare group (NG), which was classified with DDNSI scores. In the age group over 70, prevalence of nightmares was 6.3% (n = 37), which was significantly higher than other age groups. Marital status, employment status and family income were associated with nightmares. Additionally, NG reported significantly more sleep problems, higher suicidal ideation, depression and stress compared to the non-nightmare group (N-NG). Logistic regression analyses results indicated that the NG was 4.35 times at higher risk for depression, and 3.16 higher risks for stress, and 3.45 higher risks for suicidal ideation compared to the N-NG after controlling for covariates. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that psychological and demographic factors are associated with nightmares in the elderly. Furthermore, this population-based cohort study showed the prevalence of nightmares increased after age 70, which suggests the need for further studies of nightmares in older populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasom Park
- Department of Psychology, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soriul Kim
- Institute for Human Genomic Study, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chol Shin
- Institute for Human Genomic Study, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Division of Pulmonary Sleep and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sooyeon Suh
- Department of Psychology, Sungshin Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Unaltered EEG spectral power and functional connectivity in REM microstates in frequent nightmare recallers: are nightmares really a REM parasomnia? Sleep Med 2020; 75:192-200. [PMID: 32858360 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frequent nightmares show signs of hyperarousal in NREM sleep. Nevertheless, idiopathic nightmare disorder is considered a REM parasomnia, but the pathophysiology of REM sleep in relation to frequent nightmares is controversial. Cortical oscillatory activity in REM sleep is largely modulated by phasic and tonic REM periods and seems to be linked to different functions and dysfunctions of REM sleep. Here, we examined cortical activity and functional synchronization in frequent nightmare recallers and healthy controls, during phasic and tonic REM. METHODS Frequent nightmare recallers (N = 22) and healthy controls (N = 22) matched for high dream recall spent two nights in the laboratory. Phasic and tonic REM periods from the second nights' recordings were selected to examine differences in EEG spectral power and weighted phase lag index (WPLI) across groups and REM states. RESULTS Phasic REM showed increased power and synchronization in delta and gamma frequency bands, whereas tonic REM featured increased power and synchronization in the alpha and beta bands. In the theta band, power was higher during tonic, and synchronization was higher during phasic REM sleep. No differences across nightmare and control participants or patterns representing interactions between the groups and REM microstates emerged. CONCLUSIONS Our findings do not support the idea that abnormal REM sleep power and synchronization play a role in the pathophysiology of frequent nightmares. Altered REM sleep in nightmare disorder could have been confounded with comorbid pathologies and increased dream recall, or might be linked to more specific state factors (nightmare episodes).
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17
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Blaskovich B, Reicher V, Gombos F, Spoormaker VI, Simor P. Hyperarousal captured in increased number of arousal events during pre-REM periods in individuals with frequent nightmares. J Sleep Res 2019; 29:e12965. [PMID: 31860778 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate hyperarousal in individuals with frequent nightmares (NM participants) by calculating arousal events during nocturnal sleep. We hypothesized an increased number of arousals in NM participants compared with controls, especially during those periods where the probability of spontaneous arousal occurrence is already high, such as non-rapid eye movement to rapid eye movement transitions (pre-rapid eye movement periods). Twenty-two NM participants and 23 control participants spent two consecutive nights in our sleep laboratory, monitored by polysomnography. Arousal number and arousal length were calculated only for the second night, for 10 min before rapid eye movement (pre-rapid eye movement) and 10 min after rapid eye movement (post-rapid eye movement) periods, as well as non-rapid eye movement and rapid eye movement phases separately. Repeated-measures ANOVA model testing revealed significant Group (NM participants, controls) × Phase (pre-rapid eye movement, post-rapid eye movement) interaction in case of the number of arousals. Furthermore, post hoc analysis showed a significantly increased number of arousals during pre-rapid eye movement periods in NM participants, compared with controls, a difference that disappeared in post-rapid eye movement periods. We propose that focusing the analyses of arousals specifically on state transitory periods offers a unique perspective into the fragile balance between the sleep-promoting and arousal systems. This outlook revealed an increased number of arousals in NM participants, reflecting hyperarousal during pre-rapid eye movement periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Blaskovich
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Department of Cognitive Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vivien Reicher
- Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Gombos
- Department of General Psychology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-PPKE Adolescent Development Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Victor I Spoormaker
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,IUBH University of Applied Sciences, Erfurt, Germany
| | - Péter Simor
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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18
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Blaskovich B, Reichardt R, Gombos F, Spoormaker VI, Simor P. Cortical hyperarousal in NREM sleep normalizes from pre- to post- REM periods in individuals with frequent nightmares. Sleep 2019; 43:5574411. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study Objectives
Frequent nightmares have a high prevalence and constitute a risk factor for psychiatric conditions, but their pathophysiology is poorly understood. Our aim was to examine sleep architecture and electroencephalographic markers—with a specific focus on state transitions—related to sleep regulation and hyperarousal in participants with frequent nightmares (NM participants) versus healthy controls.
Methods
Healthy controls and NM participants spent two consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory. Second night spectral power during NREM to REM sleep (pre-REM) and REM to NREM (post-REM) transitions as well as during NREM and REM periods were evaluated for 22 NM participants compared to 22 healthy controls with a similar distribution of age, gender, and dream recall frequency.
Results
We found significant differences between the groups in the pre-REM to post-REM changes in low- and high-frequency domains. NM participants experienced a lower amount of slow-wave sleep and showed increased beta and gamma power during NREM and pre-REM periods. No difference was present during REM and post-REM phases. Furthermore, while increased pre-REM high-frequency power seems to be mainly driven by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom intensity, decreased low-frequency activity occurred regardless of PTSD symptom severity.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that NM participants had increased high-frequency spectral power during NREM and pre-REM periods, as well as relatively reduced slow frequency and increased fast frequency spectral power across pre-and post-REM periods. This combination of reduced sleep-protective activity and increased hyperarousal suggests an imbalance between sleep regulatory and wake-promoting systems in NM participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borbála Blaskovich
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Cognitive Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Richárd Reichardt
- Department of Cognitive Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Gombos
- Department of General Psychology, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-PPKE Adolescent Development Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Victor I Spoormaker
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Péter Simor
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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19
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Simor P, Blaskovich B. The pathophysiology of nightmare disorder: Signs of impaired sleep regulation and hyperarousal. J Sleep Res 2019; 28:e12867. [PMID: 31094047 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Péter Simor
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Borbála Blaskovich
- Semmelweis University, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Cognitive Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
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20
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Paul F, Alpers GW, Reinhard I, Schredl M. Nightmares do result in psychophysiological arousal: A multimeasure ambulatory assessment study. Psychophysiology 2019; 56:e13366. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Franc Paul
- Central Institute of Mental Health Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University Mannheim Germany
- Department of Psychology, Clinical and Biological Psychology and Psychotherapy, School of Social Sciences University of Mannheim Mannheim Germany
| | - Georg W. Alpers
- Department of Psychology, Clinical and Biological Psychology and Psychotherapy, School of Social Sciences University of Mannheim Mannheim Germany
| | - Iris Reinhard
- Central Institute of Mental Health Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University Mannheim Germany
| | - Michael Schredl
- Central Institute of Mental Health Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University Mannheim Germany
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21
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Stefani A, Holzknecht E, Högl B. Clinical neurophysiology of REM parasomnias. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2019; 161:381-396. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64142-7.00062-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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22
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Little is known about the presence of parasomnias such as nightmare disorder, sleep paralysis, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), and sleep-related eating disorders (SRED) in people with mental illness. A predominant view suggests that psychotropic medications might be contributing to parasomnias. This article summarizes knowledge regarding the relationships between psychiatric disorders and parasomnias, and possible confounds. A systematic search of the literature in the past 10 years identified 19 articles. RECENT FINDINGS There were significantly elevated rates of parasomnias in psychiatric disorders (average prevalence of nightmares was 38.9%, sleep paralysis 22.3%, SRED 9.9%, sleepwalking 8.5%, and RBD 3.8%). Medication usage was only one of many risk factors (other sleep disorders, medical comorbidities, and substance abuse) which were associated with parasomnias. A strong association exists between mental illness and parasomnias which is not fully explained by medications. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to develop a better understanding of the unique and shared variance from multiple risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavie Waters
- School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia. .,Clinical Research Centre, Graylands Hospital, North Metropolitan Health Service-Mental Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Umberto Moretto
- Psychiatric Unit I Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy.,Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology & PERFORM Center, Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, SP 165.27, Montreal, H4B 1R6, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), 4545 chemin Queen-Mary, M5815, Montreal, H3W 1W5, Canada
| | - Thien Thanh Dang-Vu
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology & PERFORM Center, Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, SP 165.27, Montreal, H4B 1R6, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), 4545 chemin Queen-Mary, M5815, Montreal, H3W 1W5, Canada
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23
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Positive Association Between Nightmares and Heart Rate Response to Loud Tones: Relationship to Parasympathetic Dysfunction in PTSD Nightmares. J Nerv Ment Dis 2017; 205:308-312. [PMID: 28129305 PMCID: PMC5373938 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000000641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Seventy-three women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from rape or physical assault participated in a loud-tone procedure, while skin conductance (SC), heart rate, and electromyogram responses were recorded. Pearson correlations were examined between each psychophysiological response and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) symptom scores. Significant correlations were adjusted for each remaining individual PTSD symptom score. Heart rate response (HRR) significantly correlated with CAPS total score and with CAPS nightmares. The relationship between HRR and nightmares remained significant after controlling for each of the other 16 individual PTSD symptoms, for the remaining reexperiencing cluster, and for CAPS total score. The zero-order correlations between SC response and nightmares and between electromyography response and nightmares were both not significant. The association of nightmares with larger HRR in the absence of an association with larger SC response likely reflects reduced parasympathetic tone. Thus, our findings indirectly support a role for reduced parasympathetic tone in PTSD nightmares.
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24
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Shen C, Wang J, Ma G, Zhu Q, He H, Ding Q, Fan H, Lu Y, Wang W. Waking-hour cerebral activations in nightmare disorder: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2016; 70:573-581. [PMID: 27611586 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM The purpose of the current study was to explore the cerebral areas involved in nightmare disorder. METHODS Fifteen nightmare disorder patients and 15 healthy volunteers were invited to undergo resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and to complete the Nightmare Experience Questionnaire. RESULTS The nightmare disorder patients scored higher on the Physical Effect and Horrible Stimulation scales, had higher values of regional homogeneity in clusters within the left anterior cingulate cortex and right inferior parietal lobule, and lower regional homogeneity values within the left superior and inferior frontal gyri and bilateral middle occipital gyri. Physical Effect was negatively correlated with regional homogeneity values in anterior cingulate cortex and inferior parietal lobule in the nightmare disorder group, and was positively correlated with regional homogeneity value in the inferior frontal gyrus in the healthy control group. CONCLUSION To our best knowledge, this is the first neuroimaging study on nightmare disorder, and we have characterized the cerebral activities underlying altered hyperarousal and emotion regulation in nightmare disorder at resting-state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanchan Shen
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guorong Ma
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qisha Zhu
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongjian He
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiuping Ding
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongying Fan
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanxia Lu
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Valenza G, Greco A, Gentili C, Lanata A, Sebastiani L, Menicucci D, Gemignani A, Scilingo EP. Combining electroencephalographic activity and instantaneous heart rate for assessing brain-heart dynamics during visual emotional elicitation in healthy subjects. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2016; 374:rsta.2015.0176. [PMID: 27044990 PMCID: PMC4822439 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2015.0176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Emotion perception, occurring in brain areas such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, involves autonomic responses affecting cardiovascular dynamics. However, how such brain-heart dynamics is further modulated by emotional valence (pleasantness/unpleasantness), also considering different arousing levels (the intensity of the emotional stimuli), is still unknown. To this extent, we combined electroencephalographic (EEG) dynamics and instantaneous heart rate estimates to study emotional processing in healthy subjects. Twenty-two healthy volunteers were elicited through affective pictures gathered from the International Affective Picture System. The experimental protocol foresaw 110 pictures, each of which lasted 10 s, associated to 25 different combinations of arousal and valence levels, including neutral elicitations. EEG data were processed using short-time Fourier transforms to obtain time-varying maps of cortical activation, whereas the associated instantaneous cardiovascular dynamics was estimated in the time and frequency domains through inhomogeneous point-process models. Brain-heart linear and nonlinear coupling was estimated through the maximal information coefficient (MIC). Considering EEG oscillations in theθband (4-8 Hz), MIC highlighted significant arousal-dependent changes between positive and negative stimuli, especially occurring at intermediate arousing levels through the prefrontal cortex interplay. Moreover, high arousing elicitations seem to mitigate changes in brain-heart dynamics in response to pleasant/unpleasant visual elicitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Valenza
- University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A Greco
- University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Gentili
- University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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26
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van Schagen A, Lancee J, Swart M, Spoormaker V, van den Bout J. Nightmare Disorder, Psychopathology Levels, and Coping in a Diverse Psychiatric Sample. J Clin Psychol 2016; 73:65-75. [DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Revised: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marijke Swart
- GGz Centraal de Meregaard Mental Health Services
- Lievegoed Mental Healthcare
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Perogamvros L, Aberg K, Gex-Fabry M, Perrig S, Cloninger CR, Schwartz S. Increased Reward-Related Behaviors during Sleep and Wakefulness in Sleepwalking and Idiopathic Nightmares. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134504. [PMID: 26287974 PMCID: PMC4546110 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously suggested that abnormal sleep behaviors, i.e., as found in parasomnias, may often be the expression of increased activity of the reward system during sleep. Because nightmares and sleepwalking predominate during REM and NREM sleep respectively, we tested here whether exploratory excitability, a waking personality trait reflecting high activity within the mesolimbic dopaminergic (ML-DA) system, may be associated with specific changes in REM and NREM sleep patterns in these two sleep disorders. METHODS Twenty-four unmedicated patients with parasomnia (12 with chronic sleepwalking and 12 with idiopathic nightmares) and no psychiatric comorbidities were studied. Each patient spent one night of sleep monitored by polysomnography. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was administered to all patients and healthy controls from the Geneva population (n = 293). RESULTS Sleepwalkers were more anxious than patients with idiopathic nightmares (Spielberger Trait anxiety/STAI-T), but the patient groups did not differ on any personality dimension as estimated by the TCI. Compared to controls, parasomnia patients (sleepwalkers together with patients with idiopathic nightmares) scored higher on the Novelty Seeking (NS) TCI scale and in particular on the exploratory excitability/curiosity (NS1) subscale, and lower on the Self-directedness (SD) TCI scale, suggesting a general increase in reward sensitivity and impulsivity. Furthermore, parasomnia patients tended to worry about social separation persistently, as indicated by greater anticipatory worry (HA1) and dependence on social attachment (RD3). Moreover, exploratory excitability (NS1) correlated positively with the severity of parasomnia (i.e., the frequency of self-reported occurrences of nightmares and sleepwalking), and with time spent in REM sleep in patients with nightmares. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that patients with parasomnia might share common waking personality traits associated to reward-related brain functions. They also provide further support to the notion that reward-seeking networks are active during human sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lampros Perogamvros
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kristoffer Aberg
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Gex-Fabry
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Perrig
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - C. Robert Cloninger
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Sophie Schwartz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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28
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Frequent nightmares are associated with blunted cortisol awakening response in women. Physiol Behav 2015; 147:233-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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