Articles tagged with Sleep Disorders
Researchers studying Mexican Blind Cave Fish found that cave-adapted fish sleep less and are more active than their surface-dwelling relatives. The discovery suggests that the transition to a dark environment may be associated with changes in sleep behavior, potentially due to the need for continuous vigilance to find food.
A study found that sleep deprivation leads to increased activity in brain regions assessing positive outcomes and decreased activity in those processing negative outcomes. As a result, sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to choose options with potential gains over those with potential losses.
A study found that even moderate reductions in sleep duration can affect neurobehavioral functioning in children with ADHD, leading to clinical-level impairment. The study suggests that investments in programs to decrease sleep deprivation may lead to improvements in neurobehavioral functioning and academic performance.
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that women who experience RLS during pregnancy are four times more likely to develop the condition again and three times more likely to have a chronic form. Symptoms may reappear later on in life or in future pregnancies.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism regulating circadian rhythms that could provide a new target for treating jet lag, shift work, sleep disturbances, diabetes, obesity, and some types of cancer. The discovery offers hope for modulating the body's core clock using synthetic ligands targeting nuclear receptors.
Researchers have identified neuroimaging abnormalities in patients with rapid-eye-movement sleep behaviour disorder that predict the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The study found decreased striatal dopamine transporters uptake and midbrain hyperechogenicity to be risk factors for developing Parkinson's disease, dementia wi...
A UBC study found that seniors and low-income earners are more likely to be long-term users of benzodiazepines, which can lead to dependence, tolerance, cognitive impairment, and increased risk of falls. The study suggests that prescribing practices should target younger populations to reduce long-term use
A study published in Sleep found that a woman's perception of poor sleep and its impact on daytime functioning are stronger predictors of immediate postpartum mood disturbances than actual sleep quality and quantity. Poor subjective nighttime sleep during pregnancy and after delivery is associated with worse postpartum mood.
A study found that extreme sleep duration is related to increased abdominal fat in minority young adults, particularly those with short sleep (5 hours or less) and long sleep (8 hours or more). This association was observed across genders and ethnicities.
A study of over 19,500 Chinese participants found that frequent napping is associated with a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose. The observed associations were unaltered even after removing participants with potential health issues, suggesting that napping may increase the risk of diabetes.
A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that sleepiness at the wheel and poor sleep quality significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents in adolescents. The study suggests that education programs targeting improving sleep habits are essential for reducing this risk.
A study of 1,140 healthy young adults found that dream-enacting behaviors are more prevalent than previously thought. The most common behavior was 'fear,' followed by acting out emotions like anger and happiness.
A longitudinal study found that sleep changes occur before puberty physical changes in children, with delayed sleep onset and reduced sleep time. Parents and educators can play a crucial role in helping children prioritize sleep as they grow.
Researchers found that 71% of participants reported dreamlike mental content associated with sleepwalking or sleep terrors, often involving unpleasant emotions like fear or terror. The study also suggests that adults with these sleep disorders may be acting out dreamlike thoughts during episodes.
A study found that sleep deprivation causes individuals to shift from automatic to controlled processes of information categorization, leading to performance deficits. The study involved 49 West Point Cadets who performed an information-integration categorization task twice with or without sleep between sessions.
A study shows that retirement is followed by a sharp decrease in sleep disturbances due to reduced work-related demands and stress. Sleep disturbance prevalence rates fell from 24.2% to 17.8% after retirement, with the greatest reduction reported among participants with depression or mental fatigue.
A study published in the journal Sleep found that long-term alcoholism affects sleep quality and architecture, regardless of abstinence duration or sex. The findings suggest a possible permanent structural change in REM regulation mechanisms produced by long-term alcohol abuse.
A study found that worsening sleep quality over five years was associated with poorer mental quality of life, while increasing daytime sleepiness symptoms affected both physical and mental quality of life. Objective measures of sleep did not show a significant association with quality of life.
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure and small body size at birth predict poorer sleep and higher risk of sleep disturbances in 8-year-old children. Smaller body size was associated with lower sleep efficiency, while low-weight birth was linked to clinical significant sleep disturbances.
A study found that adenotonsillectomy improves sleep and behavior in children with breathing problems during sleep, but these benefits are not maintained in the long term. The procedure showed positive effects for up to 2.5 years after surgery, but improvements started to fade over time.
The study found that levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP varied with sleep duration in women but not men. Shorter sleep was linked to increased inflammation levels, while longer sleep was associated with poorer health outcomes.
A recent Finnish study found that short sleep duration increases risk for behavioral symptoms of ADHD, even without sleeping difficulties. The researchers tracked 280 healthy children and found a higher hyperactivity and impulsivity score with shorter sleep duration.
Researchers discovered a new way to monitor sleep and potentially diagnose sleep disorders by analyzing heart rate, revealing significant relationships between cardio-respiratory synchronization patterns and sleep stages. This technique may help clinicians diagnose sleep disorders more easily and determine optimal treatments.
Research suggests that preconceptional psychological distress is a strong predictor of infant night waking, increasing the risk by 23% at 6 months and 22% at 12 months. This can lead to sleep problems in early childhood, affecting learning abilities and behavior.
A new study found that older women who reported taking daily naps had a 44% increased risk of dying from any cause. This association remained significant among relatively healthy women and was strongest for cardiovascular-related mortality.
A study suggests that childhood sleep problems persisting through adolescence can affect cognitive abilities, particularly executive functioning. Sleep problems during late childhood and early adolescence, such as being overtired or sleeping more than others, were found to be strong predictors of later executive control.
A school-based sleep intervention improved adolescents' sleep problems, producing a high retention rate of 83% and increasing students' knowledge of sleep-related issues. However, the positive effect disappeared at the six-week follow-up.
A study published in the journal Sleep found that women with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have higher levels of estradiol during pregnancy, which may contribute to the development of RLS symptoms. The study also found that women with RLS experience more periodic limb movements (PLMs) before and after delivery.
A study found that delaying school start times by one hour improved teens' average nightly sleep hours and reduced their involvement in auto accidents. This change also led to a decrease in daytime sleepiness and an increase in students getting at least eight hours of sleep per night.
A study found that high levels of prenatal smoking exposure strongly modify sleep patterns in preterm neonates, with disrupted sleep structure and fragmentation observed. This may have serious consequences for the development of the infant's brain and increase the risk of developmental difficulties throughout childhood.
A study found that night shift workers who use bright light exposure therapy, dark sunglasses, and a strict sleep schedule can achieve a compromise circadian phase position, improving alertness and performance. This partial physiological adaptation allows for increased daytime sleep on days off.
A study published in Sleep found that postmenopausal women slept longer than premenopausal women, with deeper sleep and increased total sleep time. However, the rate of change in sex hormones during menopause was also associated with poor subjective sleep quality.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that mice deficient in fragile X and related genes have disrupted sleep-wake cycles, leading to a lack of rhythm. This finding provides new insights into the causes of fragile X syndrome and its impact on patients.
A new study published in SLEEP journal found that short and long sleep durations are associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Adults who slept less than six hours per night had nearly double the odds of developing metabolic syndrome compared to those who slept between seven and eight hours per night.
Research reveals a correlation between the phase of clock gene expression and habitual sleep timing, suggesting a peripheral circadian clock's role in regulating hormone rhythms and sleep-wake cycles. The study's findings provide new insights into the relationship between genetic markers and sleep disorders.
A new type of anesthetic, ethyl carbamate or urethane, has been found to induce the full spectrum of natural sleep stages, including slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This breakthrough discovery allows researchers to fine-tune sleep medications and anesthetics, ultimately benefiting patients with sleep disorders.
Research highlights the long-term consequences of childhood sleep disorders on mental health, including emotional and behavioral changes. Experts stress the need for better recognition and treatment of sleep disorders in children to prevent future problems.
A study found that both short and long sleeping times are associated with an increased risk of future body weight and fat gain in adults. Adults who slept less than 7 hours or more than 10 hours per night gained more weight over six years compared to those who slept for 7-8 hours.
A new study found that sleep deprivation can precipitate sleepwalking in predisposed individuals and may serve as a valuable tool in diagnosing the disorder. The study showed that sleep deprivation significantly increased the proportion of sleepwalkers experiencing complex episodes, facilitating diagnosis.
Researchers found that dreams after 9/11 showed more intense imagery but not longer or more bizarre content, contradicting expectations. The study suggests a link between the traumatic event and increased emotional intensity in dreams.
A study published in SLEEP found that REM sleep deprivation in rats reduced cell proliferation by 63% compared to non-deprived controls. This suggests a critical role for REM sleep in facilitating brain plasticity and adult neurogenesis.
A study published in SLEEP found that higher periodic leg movement index (PLMI) predicted less sleep at night in older people with cognitive impairment. The study, conducted by Kathy C. Richards of the University of Pennsylvania, assessed 102 participants and found that PLMI explained 43.6% of the variance in total sleep time.
A study published in the journal SLEEP found that a brief daytime nap (45 minutes) benefits declarative memory performance. The results suggest that there is a threshold acquisition level required for sleep to optimally process memories, and this finding has implications for adults' nightly sleep recommendations.
C. elegans displays a sleep-like state called lethargus, which parallels human sleep patterns and is linked to nervous system development, suggesting that sleep facilitates neural growth and adaptation.
A study found that preschoolers' nightmares are trait-like in nature and linked to personality characteristics, as early as five months. The study also showed that children with consistent bad dreams were more anxious and emotionally disturbed at younger ages.
A study found that children who don't get enough nightly sleep are more likely to be overweight and have behavioral problems. Sleep duration was shorter on weekends, in the summer, and when bedtime was after 9:00 p.m.
Research suggests that maintaining consistent sleep schedules and regular physical activity can help balance the circadian system and reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder. Studies found that patients who participated in interpersonal and social rhythm therapy experienced longer periods without new episodes of mania or depression.
A study found that hospital staff nurses who work extended hours, struggle to stay awake at work, or obtain less sleep are more likely to experience a drowsy driving episode. The risk increases with longer shift durations and is particularly high for night shifts.
A study found that both short and long sleep durations are associated with an elevated risk of mortality. Participants who slept five to six hours or less at baseline but reported extended sleep hours had lower mortality rates, while those sleeping seven to eight hours had higher mortality rates.
A randomized study found that napping is a more efficient countermeasure to sleepiness in young people compared to middle-aged individuals. Young participants who napped slept more and had more delta sleep than their middle-aged counterparts.
A study published in the journal SLEEP found that children with Asperger syndrome (AS) have a high prevalence of sleep disorders, particularly those related to initiating sleep and sleep restlessness. The study also showed unique patterns of cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) activity in AS subjects.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released practice parameters for the evaluation and treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders. The guidelines recommend various treatments, including melatonin administration, timed light exposure, and actigraphy, to improve alertness and performance in night shift workers.
A five-year longitudinal observational cohort study found that anxiety is strongly associated with sleep disturbances. Those who experience severe life events are more likely to develop sleep disturbances, especially if they already have a predisposition to anxiety.
A new study finds that sleep deprivation leads to overactive emotional centers in the brain, causing irrational behavior. The prefrontal lobe is shutdown, making it difficult for people to regulate their emotions.
A new study reveals that children have more difficulty initiating sleep than maintaining sleep, with parents often underestimating their child's sleep problems. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine offers tips to help children sleep better, including establishing a consistent bedtime routine and creating a relaxing environment.
A study published in SLEEP found that combining low-dose alcohol with moderate sleep restriction significantly impaired young men's subjective alertness and driving performance. Steering deviation increased significantly with the combination, suggesting a reduced threshold for safe driving.
A study by Mark E. Howard found that extended wakefulness and low-dose alcohol have significant adverse effects on driving performance. The combination results in more lapses, greater variation in lane position and speed than a higher BAC level in a rested state.
A large-scale twin study found that short sleep (less than seven hours) and long sleep (more than eight hours) were linked to increased mortality rates in both men and women. Frequent use of medications also contributed to a higher risk of death.
A study found that women with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) report poor sleep quality during the late luteal phase, while controls showed no significant differences. The researchers suggest that women with PMS may have underlying electroencephalogram trait markers.
A study published in SLEEP found that adolescents who used their cell phones after bedtime were more likely to experience tiredness the next day. The researchers, led by Jan Van den Bulck, discovered that frequent phone use increased the risk of tiredness, with those using their phones daily being up to 5 times more likely to feel tired.