Articles tagged with Insomnia
Benzodiazepine prescriptions have decreased by 26.7% over the past decade, with the largest decline observed among young adults between ages 18 and 29. The average dose per prescription also decreased by 18.3%, suggesting more selective prescribing practices.
A new review found that insomnia is associated with a 26% higher risk of stroke and 28% higher odds of hospital admission. The study also linked insomnia to depression, suicidal behaviors, and dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that greater amounts of REM and deep sleep were associated with lower risks of dozens of diseases, while less than 5 hours of total sleep was linked to high risks of disease. The study analyzed data from 95,559 UK Biobank participants and identified significant associations between sleep patterns and incident diseases.
Researchers at MIT found that short bursts of pink noise during sleep can increase the amplitude of slow electrical waves and CSF flow, leading to more restorative sleep. This technology may also help clear brain waste and potentially improve cognitive function, particularly in people with insomnia and neurodegenerative diseases.
A randomized clinical trial found that ingesting fecal microbes from healthy donors improved sleep efficiency and reduced wake after sleep onset in participants with chronic insomnia. Sleep quality scores also showed significant improvement over two months.
Researchers discovered that damaged myelin generates abnormal rhythms in the sleeping brain, linked to disruptions in brain circuit stability. This finding may help design non-invasive approaches to repair myelin during sleep, improving sleep quality in patients with MS and Alzheimer's disease.
A digital platform developed by Concordia University researchers offers an accessible solution for older adults struggling with insomnia and anxiety. The seven-week eCBT+ program demonstrates high effectiveness in improving sleep efficiency and reducing symptoms of both conditions, with users finding the platform easy to use and useful.
Adolescents with irregular sleep and insomnia symptoms have higher odds of overnight hospital stays and poorer general health in their 20s. Poorer sleep health during adolescence is associated with a range of negative outcomes, including lower life satisfaction and reduced overall well-being.
A clinical trial found that low-dose quetiapine improved sleep quality and reduced obstructive sleep apnea severity, but significantly impaired alertness and driving performance. The study highlights the need for caution when using sedating medications for insomnia in people with known or possible sleep apnea.
A secondary analysis of the digital insomnia therapy somnovia identifies reducing hyperarousal as its primary mechanism of action for treating chronic insomnia. This process is linked to numerous other mental health conditions, suggesting positive effects beyond just sleep disorders.
Researchers found four mental states: recollections, connection to environment, bizarreness, and voluntary control, which appear across all three vigilance stages. A specific brain signature for the 'bizarre' dream-like state was also identified, characterized by reduced long-range connectivity between brain regions.
The new clinical practice guideline from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine provides evidence-based recommendations on combining behavioral-psychological and pharmacological therapies to treat chronic insomnia disorder in adults. The guideline suggests that CBT-I by itself is the most efficacious first-line treatment for insomnia, ...
A study found that sleep apps can have negative effects on people with insomnia symptoms, causing more worries and stress. While the apps helped some users, younger adults reported stronger effects, while older individuals responded less.
Researchers evaluated 12 hypnotic medications on sleep architecture and respiratory function in adults with obstructive sleep apnea. The study found that while some medications worsened respiratory outcomes, others showed no significant effects, highlighting the need for individualized treatment.
A new study found that nearly one in five adults with tinnitus have had to reduce their working hours or leave employment due to the condition. The research also revealed that targeted interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, can improve work productivity and overall wellbeing.
Scientists at Nagoya University identified a brain circuit that keeps mice awake in unfamiliar environments, releasing neurotensin to maintain wakefulness and protect against potential dangers. This discovery may explain the 'first night effect' in humans, where the brain remains vigilant on the first night in a new place.
A new clinical trial found that solriamfetol helped early morning shift workers with shift work disorder stay more alert and report better overall functioning. The study, published in NEJM Evidence, enrolled 78 early-morning shift workers and showed significant improvement in sleepiness and daily activities after four weeks of treatment.
Researchers developed a smartphone-based assessment approach to detect improvements in daytime insomnia symptoms, detecting treatment effects more powerfully than traditional methods. The new method leverages real-time, multimethod assessment and shows potential for personalizing sleep medicine care.
A study analyzing smartphone-based sleep data from over 80,000 Japanese workers found associations between short and long sleep duration, sleep latency, and social jetlag with presenteeism scores. These factors can predict labor productivity loss, emphasizing the need for personalized interventions to improve sleep health.
Research found that anxiety symptoms reduce circulatory NK cells and sub-populations, while insomnia symptoms decrease total NK cells. This could lead to impaired immune function and increased disease susceptibility.
University of Houston engineers have discovered that melatonin helps plants grow by adjusting biological processes to coincide with daily cycles. The hormone also enhances photosynthesis and improves stress tolerance in crops.
Older adults with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea demonstrated worse verbal memory performance than those with sleep apnea alone. Women showed a significant association between COMISA and worse verbal memory outcomes, while men did not. This finding suggests a potential hidden sleep-related pathway to cognitive decline in women.
A trial from Hong Kong found that tai chi is comparable to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of chronic insomnia. The study showed that tai chi was non-inferior to CBT at the 12-month follow-up, suggesting its potential as an alternative treatment approach for middle-aged and older adults.
Researchers have found that individuals with insomnia fail to downregulate mental activity at night, resulting in a blunted and delayed disengagement from goal-directed thought and emotional involvement. This study suggests that tailored approaches addressing circadian and cognitive factors could offer a solution for insomniacs.
A 1-week social media detox in young adults was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The study's findings suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of reducing social media use for mental health concerns.
A study of nearly 4,000 middle-aged adults found that combined sleep apnea and insomnia increase the risk of uncontrolled hypertension. The strongest risk factor was identified as the combination of both conditions, with 10.2% of participants experiencing high blood pressure.
A comprehensive review synthesizes current insights into the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, highlighting the crucial role of peripheral organs in modulating brain function and behavior. Disruptions in gut microbiota composition are closely linked to sleep disturbances across multiple disorders.
A new study suggests reducing prescription sleep medications among older adults could provide substantial health and economic benefits. Avoiding these medications would reduce falls by 8.5% and cognitive impairment by 2.1%, increasing life expectancy by 1.3 months.
Idiopathic hypersomnia is a rare condition characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. Patients report never feeling rested or awake despite adequate sleep, affecting their daily lives. The study analyzed online posts to better understand the experience and impact of living with this disease.
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that a brief sound-based neurotechnology intervention can improve well-being by reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and insomnia in healthcare workers. The intervention uses acoustic neuromodulation guided by each participant's unique brainwave patterns.
A nationwide survey of 20,000 people found that those who changed jobs in the past year reported higher rates of health symptoms. Job changers often experience more stress factors, such as late-night shifts and excessive workloads, which can negatively impact mental and physical health.
Chronic insomnia is associated with faster declines in memory and thinking skills, as well as brain changes visible on imaging scans. People with insomnia are 40% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia than those without insomnia.
A new study by Concordia researchers finds that chronic benzodiazepine consumption impacts sleep quality in older adults, leading to poorer sleep architecture and brain oscillation activities. The study suggests that these drugs may worsen cognitive functions already affected by aging.
Professor Siegfried Kasper reveals biological bases of psychiatric disorders alongside psychosocial determinants, influencing treatment protocols globally. His pioneering research transformed approaches to treatment-resistant depression, improving millions of lives.
Insomnia patients taking cannabis-based medical products reported significant improvements in sleep quality, anxiety, and pain over 18 months. The study found sustained benefits with minimal side effects, suggesting potential for medical cannabis as an option for conventional treatments.
A new study suggests that certain groups of gut bacteria may boost or lower the risk of insomnia, while insomnia itself alters the abundance of certain bacterial types. The findings indicate a complex bidirectional relationship involving immune regulation, inflammatory response, and neurotransmitter release.
A new study found that older adults with insomnia face triple the risk of developing depressive symptoms compared to sound sleepers. The study suggests that treatments targeted at inflammation-related depression may benefit these patients and improve their overall quality of life.
Research suggests that exercise is a viable primary treatment option for insomnia, with yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and jogging showing promising results. Yoga increases total sleep time by nearly 2 hours and improves sleep efficiency, while Tai Chi outperforms existing treatments in all assessed outcomes.
A new study by the University of Southampton found that adults with ADHD traits report lower quality of life and more severe insomnia. Insomnia was identified as a potential link in this association, suggesting that targeting insomnia complaints may improve the quality of life for people with ADHD.
A research-based workbook tackles chronic nightmares and insomnia, offering tools to rewrite distressing dreams, improve sleep quality, and regain daytime functioning. The author, MSU Psychology Professor Michael R. Nadorff, aims to provide empirically-supported treatments for this debilitating disorder.
Research suggests that people with insomnia disorders have intact sleep-wake regulatory systems, indicating that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) may be an effective treatment. Objective sleep parameters and direct sleep-wake perception did not significantly differ from healthy participants, highlighting the potential ...
Researchers mapped similarities and differences between insomnia, anxiety, and depression using brain scans of over 40,000 participants. The study found reduced surface area of the cerebral cortex, smaller thalamic volume, and weaker connectivity in all three disorders.
A new report from Flinders University reveals that Australia is facing a silent public health crisis due to poor sleep habits. The report outlines four priority actions to address the issue and calls for urgent action from policymakers to bring sleep to the forefront of the country's health agenda.
A team of researchers from Kyoto University has developed a smartphone app that teaches core techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat subthreshold depression and anxiety. The app, RESiLIENT, was tested in the largest-ever individually randomized trial of its kind, showing promising results with no serious adverse effects.
A new study published in Sleep reveals a strong connection between insomnia symptoms, sleep medication use, and disability in older adults. The research found that incremental increases in insomnia symptoms and sleep medication use were associated with a 20% increased risk of disability the following year.
A study suggests that perceived stress and depression are key factors in the relationship between insomnia and hazardous drinking. Insomnia can lead to heavy drinking through stress, while drinking can lead to insomnia through depression.
Patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia showed long-term improvements in overall health-related quality of life, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. The study, which recruited over 2,300 participants, also found improvements in anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain for those with corresponding conditions.
A study of 45,202 Norwegian young adults found that using a screen in bed increases the risk of insomnia by 59% and cuts sleep time by 24 minutes. The type of screen activity used does not appear to matter as much as overall screen use in bed, with social media being no more disruptive than other activities.
Research presented at the American Heart Association's 2025 Scientific Sessions found a link between insomnia, poor sleep duration, and elevated blood pressure in teenagers. The study suggests that addressing sleep health is crucial for heart health in adolescents.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that pupil dynamics is related to specific patterns of brain activity and arousal levels, contradicting previous assumptions about low arousal during sleep. The study uses pupil measurements to monitor brain activity in humans for the first time.
Research suggests that resistance exercise is the most effective type for tackling insomnia in older adults, with a significant improvement in sleep quality. Aerobic and combination exercises also show promise, but to a lesser extent. The study analyzed data from 24 studies involving over 2,000 adults aged 60 and above.
The FDA has approved a new treatment for Parkinson's disease that can adjust to the individual's brain activity, providing precise stimulation. This technology, known as adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), detects patterns of brain activity and delivers tailored electric pulses to reduce symptoms.
Research by the University of East Anglia found that exposure to workplace bullying can lead to increased symptoms of insomnia in both individuals and their partners. The study also highlights the 'contagious' nature of sleep issues between partners, where one person's sleep problems can influence the other.
Researchers found that specific brain signals and groups of brain cells are involved in alcohol-induced insomnia, which could lead to targeted treatments for sleep loss. The study suggests that targeting specific brain cells may help people recover from alcohol use disorder.
Researchers have created a detailed structural map of GABA A receptors in the human brain, revealing how they assemble and interact with drugs. The study provides new insights into treating epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and paves the way for customized therapies.
Research found that 66% of individuals who perceived their sleep as poor showed no objective sleep problems, while 45% of those who considered their sleep sufficient were identified as potentially sleep-deprived. The study highlights the inadequacy of relying solely on subjective sleep assessments and emphasizes the importance of incor...
A study published in Cell describes the synchronized oscillations that occur during non-REM sleep, including norepinephrine, cerebral blood volume, and CSF flow. The research highlights the critical role of these oscillations in powering the glymphatic system, which removes protein waste associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
A USF study of over 1,000 employees found that sedentary work and nonstandard schedules are significant threats to sleep health, leading to a 37% increase in insomnia symptoms among sedentary workers and a 66% greater risk of needing catch-up sleep.
This randomized clinical trial suggests that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation is a safe and effective treatment option for chronic insomnia. Future multicenter trials are needed to validate its effectiveness across different populations.
A new study by Oregon State University found that college students who experience loneliness are more likely to develop insomnia and have trouble sleeping. The research suggests that screen time may actually be a symptom of underlying loneliness rather than the cause of insomnia.