Insufficient sleep during adolescence and risk of multiple sclerosis: results from a Swedish case-control study

Sleep and neuroimmunology: a narrative review

Numerous neuroimmunological disorders present with sleep-related symptoms. The identification of novel autoantibodies introduces new clinical categories in autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system and generates interest in the dynamic interaction between sleep and the immune system. In this review, the complex relationship among sleep, immune regulation, and neuroimmunological disorders was examined with emphasis on the vital role of sleep in modulating immune function and its influence on these conditions, This relationship emphasizes the importance of assessments and management of sleep quality in the treatment approaches for neuroimmunological disorders.

Associations of a proinflammatory diet, habitual salt intake, and the onset of type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank

AIM

To explore the relationship between proinflammatory diet, habitual salt intake and the onset of type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted among 171 094 UK Biobank participants who completed at least one 24-h dietary questionnaire and were free of diabetes at baseline. Participants were followed up until 1 March 2023 for type 2 diabetes incidence, with diagnosis information obtained from linked medical records. An Energy-adjusted Diet Inflammatory Index (E-DII) was calculated based on 28 food parameters. Habitual salt intake was determined through the self-reported frequency of adding salt to foods. The associations between E-DII, habitual salt intake and type 2 diabetes incidence were tested by the Cox proportional hazard regression model.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up period of 13.5 years, 6216 cases of type 2 diabetes were documented. Compared with participants with a low E-DII (indicative of an anti-inflammatory diet), participants with a high E-DII (indicative of a proinflammatory diet) had an 18% heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The association between E-DII and type 2 diabetes tends to be linear after adjustment for major confounders. Participants with a proinflammatory diet and always adding salt to foods had the highest risk of type 2 diabetes incidence (hazard ratio 1.60, 95% confidence interval 1.32-1.94).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that a proinflammatory diet and higher habitual salt intake were associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. These results support the public health promotion of an anti-inflammatory diet and reducing salt intake to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Preventive noninvasive vagal nerve stimulation reduces insufficient sleep-induced depression by improving the autonomic nervous system

BACKGROUND

Depression is closely linked to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). However, the role of this imbalance in mediating the effects of sleep deprivation (SD) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on emotional well-being is not fully understood.

METHODS

A population-based analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between sleep duration, depression scores, and heart rate variability (HRV). Additionally, the chronic SD mouse model was established to assess the impact of preventive transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) on pathological and behavioral changes.

RESULTS

Our study found a significant link between sleep duration, depression severity, and HRV. Shorter sleep duration was associated with higher depression scores and lower RMSSD (a measure of HRV). In our rat model, insufficient sleep consistently impaired HRV. This effect was mitigated by taVNS, accompanied by corresponding changes in levels of IL-1β and IL-6, astrocyte and microglia activation, and tail suspension times.

CONCLUSIONS

Using VNS as a preventive treatment for depression-risk individuals with insufficient sleep shows promise. It not only broadens the potential applications of VNS but also sheds light on its mechanism-particularly its role in enhancing vagal nerve function and balancing the ANS, as evidenced by HRV measurements.

Advancements in Wearable EEG Technology for Improved Home-Based Sleep Monitoring and Assessment: A Review

Sleep is a fundamental aspect of daily life, profoundly impacting mental and emotional well-being. Optimal sleep quality is vital for overall health and quality of life, yet many individuals struggle with sleep-related difficulties. In the past, polysomnography (PSG) has served as the gold standard for assessing sleep, but its bulky nature, cost, and the need for expertise has made it cumbersome for widespread use. By recognizing the need for a more accessible and user-friendly approach, wearable home monitoring systems have emerged. EEG technology plays a pivotal role in sleep monitoring, as it captures crucial brain activity data during sleep and serves as a primary indicator of sleep stages and disorders. This review provides an overview of the most recent advancements in wearable sleep monitoring leveraging EEG technology. We summarize the latest EEG devices and systems available in the scientific literature, highlighting their design, form factors, materials, and methods of sleep assessment. By exploring these developments, we aim to offer insights into cutting-edge technologies, shedding light on wearable EEG sensors for advanced at-home sleep monitoring and assessment. This comprehensive review contributes to a broader perspective on enhancing sleep quality and overall health using wearable EEG sensors.

Risk factors for multiple sclerosis in the context of Epstein-Barr virus infection

Compelling evidence indicates that Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection is a prerequisite for multiple sclerosis (MS). The disease may arise from a complex interplay between latent EBV infection, genetic predisposition, and various environmental and lifestyle factors that negatively affect immune control of the infection. Evidence of gene-environment interactions and epigenetic modifications triggered by environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals supports this view. This review gives a short introduction to EBV and host immunity and discusses evidence indicating EBV as a prerequisite for MS. The role of genetic and environmental risk factors, and their interactions, in MS pathogenesis is reviewed and put in the context of EBV infection. Finally, possible preventive measures are discussed based on the findings presented.