1
|
Watkins CD. Mate assessment based on physical characteristics: a review and reflection. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 39175167 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13131] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Mate choice, and sex differences in romantic behaviours, represented one of the first major applications of evolutionary biology to human behaviour. This paper reviews Darwinian approaches to heterosexual mate assessment based on physical characteristics, placing the literature in its historical context (1871-1979), before turning (predominantly) to psychological research on attractiveness judgements based on physical characteristics. Attractiveness is consistently inferred across multiple modalities, with biological theories explaining why we differentiate certain individuals, on average, from others. Simultaneously, it is a judgement that varies systematically in light of our own traits, environment, and experiences. Over 30 years of research has generated robust effects alongside reasons to be humble in our lack of understanding of the precise physiological mechanisms involved in mate assessment. This review concludes with three questions to focus attention in further research, and proposes that our romantic preferences still provide a critical window into the evolution of human sexuality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Watkins
- Division of Psychology and Forensic Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Kydd Building, Bell Street, Dundee, DD11HG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Arnocky S, Davis AC. Do lifestyle and hormonal variables explain links between health and facial attractiveness? Front Psychol 2024; 15:1404387. [PMID: 39205978 PMCID: PMC11349710 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1404387] [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: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Facial attractiveness has recently been considered an indicator of underlying immunocompetence. However, studies examining this relationship have yielded mixed findings. Previous research suggested that these discrepant findings could be due to the common influence of lifestyle factors upon both rated facial attractiveness and health. Methods Young men (N = 162) provided standardized facial photos with a neutral expression subsequently rated by eight women for overall attractiveness. Saliva was assayed for immunoglobulin A, testosterone (T) and cortisol (C), and body fat was measured using a skinfold caliper. Self-reports of poor health, and lifestyle factors that could influence health status (age, sleep habits, smoking, drinking alcohol, family stress, and exercising) were collected. Results Results showed that symptoms of poor health and skinfold negatively predicted facial attractiveness. There was a modest but statistically non-significant T x C interaction where higher T lower C men trended toward having more attractive faces. A sequential mediation model examining the influence of lifestyle showed support for an indirect effect on facial attractiveness. Specifically, skinfold and poor health symptoms mediated the links between exercise, stress, and facial attractiveness. Discussion These findings suggest links between facial attractiveness and immunocompetence could be linked to some common lifestyle and hormonal variables, but that more comprehensive research involving lifestyle indicators (such as nutrition) are necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Arnocky
- Human Evolution Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Adam C. Davis
- Department of Social Sciences, Canadore College, North Bay, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sharon O, Ben Simon E, Shah VD, Desel T, Walker MP. The new science of sleep: From cells to large-scale societies. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002684. [PMID: 38976664 PMCID: PMC11230563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002684] [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: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In the past 20 years, more remarkable revelations about sleep and its varied functions have arguably been made than in the previous 200. Building on this swell of recent findings, this essay provides a broad sampling of selected research highlights across genetic, molecular, cellular, and physiological systems within the body, networks within the brain, and large-scale social dynamics. Based on this raft of exciting new discoveries, we have come to realize that sleep, in this moment of its evolution, is very much polyfunctional (rather than monofunctional), yet polyfunctional for reasons we had never previously considered. Moreover, these new polyfunctional insights powerfully reaffirm sleep as a critical biological, and thus health-sustaining, requisite. Indeed, perhaps the only thing more impressive than the unanticipated nature of these newly emerging sleep functions is their striking divergence, from operations of molecular mechanisms inside cells to entire group societal dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omer Sharon
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Eti Ben Simon
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Vyoma D. Shah
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Tenzin Desel
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Walker
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Porcheron A, Latreille J, Sauvet F, Bardel MH. Evaluation of a daily facial massage on perceived sleep quality and well-being: A pilot study. Int J Cosmet Sci 2024. [PMID: 38561643 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12963] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sleep disorders are widespread and constitute a major public health risk. The present study thus aims to investigate the effect of a facial cosmetic self-massage daily routine on women's sleep and well-being. METHODS The present pilot study was conducted on 62 middle-aged women declaring daily tiredness and sleep troubles. We examined the effect of a regular facial cosmetic self-massage routine on sleep patterns, daytime sleepiness, and well-being over the course of 2 months. RESULTS After 1 and 2 months, our results show improved sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI - -20.2% after 2 months), reduced daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS, -31.2% after 2 months), and increased well-being measures. The number of participants with abnormal sleep (PSQI >5) decreased over the course of the experiment as well, from 71.9% to 49.2% at the end of the 2 months [odds ratio 95% CI for decrease: 0.38 (0.18-0.81)]. Similarly, the number of participants with excessive daytime sleepiness (>10 on the ESS) decreased over the course of the study from 44.3% to 21% after 1 month [95% CI: 0.33 (0.15-0.73)] and to 16.1% after 2 months [95% CI: 0.24 (0.10-0.56)]. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a facial cosmetic self-massage routine may improve sleep patterns and is likely to be a useful addition to a standard sleep hygiene routine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie Latreille
- Biological and Clinical Department, CHANEL Parfums Beauté, Pantin, France
| | - Fabien Sauvet
- UPR7330 VIFASOM, Hôtel Dieu (APHP), Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Institut de Recherche Biomédicale Des Armées (IRBA), Brétigny sur Orge, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Leung TS, Zeng G, Maylott SE, Martinez SN, Jakobsen KV, Simpson EA. Infection detection in faces: Children's development of pathogen avoidance. Child Dev 2024; 95:e35-e46. [PMID: 37589080 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the development of children's avoidance and recognition of sickness using face photos from people with natural, acute, contagious illness. In a U.S. sample of fifty-seven 4- to 5-year-olds (46% male, 70% White), fifty-two 8- to 9-year-olds (26% male, 62% White), and 51 adults (59% male, 61% White), children and adults avoided and recognized sick faces (ds ranged from 0.38 to 2.26). Both avoidance and recognition improved with age. Interestingly, 4- to 5-year-olds' avoidance of sick faces positively correlated with their recognition, suggesting stable individual differences in these emerging skills. Together, these findings are consistent with a hypothesized immature but functioning and flexible behavioral immune system emerging early in development. Characterizing children's sickness perception may help design interventions to improve health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany S Leung
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Guangyu Zeng
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
- Division of Applied Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sarah E Maylott
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hansson LS, Lasselin J, Tognetti A, Axelsson J, Olsson MJ, Sundelin T, Lekander M. The walking sick: Perception of experimental sickness from biological motion. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 113:319-327. [PMID: 37517742 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of sick conspecifics allows for avoidance of infectious threats, and is therefore an important behavioral defense against diseases. Here, we investigated if humans can identify sick individuals solely from biological motion and posture (using point-light displays). Additionally, we sought to determine which movements and sickness parameters would predict such detection. We collected video clips and derived point-light displays (one stride presented in a loop) of sick walkers (injected with lipopolysaccharide at 2.0 ng/kg body weight) and the same walkers when healthy (injected with saline). We then presented these displays to two groups, one group classified each walker as sick or healthy (study 1, n = 106), and the other group scored the walkers' health on a visual analogue scale (study 2, n = 106). The raters were able to identify sick individuals above chance, and rated sick walkers as having worse health, both from observing video clips and point-light displays. Furthermore, both sickness detection and worse apparent health were predicted by inflammation-induced increase in rigidity and slower walking, but not other cues. Altogether, these findings indicate that biological motion can serve as a sickness cue, possibly allowing humans to identify sick conspecifics from a distance, and thereby allowing for disease avoidance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L S Hansson
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Osher Center for Integrative Health, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Lasselin
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Osher Center for Integrative Health, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - A Tognetti
- Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Axelsson
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M J Olsson
- Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T Sundelin
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Lekander
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Osher Center for Integrative Health, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mi Y, Duan H, Xu Z, Lei X. The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Brain Networks in Response to Social Evaluation Tasks. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1122. [PMID: 37626479 PMCID: PMC10452848 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13081122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep loss may lead to negative bias during social interaction. In the current study, we conducted a revised social evaluation task experiment to investigate how sleep deprivation influences the self-referential and cognitive processes of social feedback. The experiment consisted of a first impression task and a social feedback task. Seventy-eight participants completed the first impression task and were divided into normal and poor sleep groups. The results of an independent samples t-test showed that participants who slept worse were less likely to socialize with others but did not evaluate others as less attractive. Afterward, 22 of the participants from the first impression task were recruited to complete the social feedback task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on the mornings following two different sleep conditions at night: one night of normal sleep and one night of sleep deprivation. The results of this within-subject design study showed that participants who experienced the latter condition showed increased activation within the default mode network (i.e. superior parietal lobule, precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, inferior temporal gyrus, and medial frontal gyrus) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and stronger negative insula functional connectivity (FC) with the precuneus to negative feedback than positive feedback. The altered activation and behavioral pattern may indicate a negative bias for social cues. However, stronger negative coupling may indicate stronger cognitive control, which may protect against potential damage to self-concept. Our study suggested that sleep impairs most social functions, but may protect against impairment of important ones, such as self-concept.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqi Mi
- Sleep and NeuroImaging Center, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Huimin Duan
- Sleep and NeuroImaging Center, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ziye Xu
- Sleep and NeuroImaging Center, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xu Lei
- Sleep and NeuroImaging Center, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Behavioral and physiological sensitivity to natural sick faces. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 110:195-211. [PMID: 36893923 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The capacity to rapidly detect and avoid sick people may be adaptive. Given that faces are reliably available, as well as rapidly detected and processed, they may provide health information that influences social interaction. Prior studies used faces that were manipulated to appear sick (e.g., editing photos, inducing inflammatory response); however, responses to naturally sick faces remain largely unexplored. We tested whether adults detected subtle cues of genuine, acute, potentially contagious illness in face photos compared to the same individuals when healthy. We tracked illness symptoms and severity with the Sickness Questionnaire and Common Cold Questionnaire. We also checked that sick and healthy photos were matched on low-level features. We found that participants (N = 109) rated sick faces, compared to healthy faces, as sicker, more dangerous, and eliciting more unpleasant feelings. Participants (N = 90) rated sick faces as more likely to be avoided, more tired, and more negative in expression than healthy faces. In a passive-viewing eye-tracking task, participants (N = 50) looked longer at healthy than sick faces, especially the eye region, suggesting people may be more drawn to healthy conspecifics. When making approach-avoidance decisions, participants (N = 112) had greater pupil dilation to sick than healthy faces, and more pupil dilation was associated with greater avoidance, suggesting elevated arousal to threat. Across all experiments, participants' behaviors correlated with the degree of sickness, as reported by the face donors, suggesting a nuanced, fine-tuned sensitivity. Together, these findings suggest that humans may detect subtle threats of contagion from sick faces, which may facilitate illness avoidance. By better understanding how humans naturally avoid illness in conspecifics, we may identify what information is used and ultimately improve public health.
Collapse
|
9
|
Shao L, Jiang S, Li Y, Shi Y, Wang M, Liu T, Yang S, Ma L. Regular Late Bedtime Significantly Affects the Skin Physiological Characteristics and Skin Bacterial Microbiome. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2022; 15:1051-1063. [PMID: 35698548 PMCID: PMC9188400 DOI: 10.2147/ccid.s364542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Late bedtime is a common form of unhealthy sleep pattern in adulthood, which influences circadian rhythm, and negatively affects health. However, little is known about the effect of regular late bedtime on skin characteristics, particularly on skin microbiome. Objective To investigate the changes and effects of the regular late bedtime on skin physiological parameters and facial bacterial microbiome of 219 cases of Chinese women aged 18-38 years living in Shanghai. Methods Based on the Self-Evaluation Questionnaire, bedtime was categorized as 11:00 PM; thus, the volunteers were divided into early bedtime group (S0) and late bedtime group (S1). The physiological parameters of facial skin were measured by non-invasive instrumental methods, and the skin microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Results The skin physiological parameters of the late bedtime group exhibited significant decrease in skin hydration content, skin firmness (F4) and elasticity (R2), while TEWL, sebum and wrinkle significantly increased. The result indicated that late bedtime significantly impaired the integrity of skin barrier, damaged skin structure, and disrupted water-oil balance. Furthermore, the analysis of α-diversity, Sobs, Ace and Chao index were found to significantly decrease (P < 0.05) in the late bedtime group, suggesting that late bedtime reduced both the abundance and the diversity of facial bacterial microbiota. Moreover, the abundance of Pseudomonas increased significantly, while Streptococcus, Stenotrophomonas, Acinetobacter, Haemophilus, Actinomyces and Neisseria decreased significantly. In addition, Spearman correlation analysis revealed strong correlations between the microbiota and the physiological parameters. Notably, the abundance of Pseudomonas significantly positively correlated with skin firmness and elasticity, but significantly negatively correlated with skin hemoglobin content, melanin content and skin hydration. Conclusion Bedtime is an important factor in maintaining skin health. Regular late bedtime not only damages the skin barrier and skin structure but also reduces the diversity and composition of facial bacterial microbiome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Shao
- School of Perfume and Aroma Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Sujing Jiang
- School of Perfume and Aroma Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- R&D Innovation Center, Shandong Freda Biotech Co., Ltd, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqin Shi
- School of Perfume and Aroma Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,The Oriental Beauty Valley Research Institute, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Man Wang
- Department of Nutrition, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital South Campus, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Liu
- School of Perfume and Aroma Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Suzhen Yang
- R&D Innovation Center, Shandong Freda Biotech Co., Ltd, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Laiji Ma
- School of Perfume and Aroma Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,The Oriental Beauty Valley Research Institute, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lefter R, Cojocariu RO, Ciobica A, Balmus IM, Mavroudis I, Kis A. Interactions between Sleep and Emotions in Humans and Animal Models. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:274. [PMID: 35208598 PMCID: PMC8877042 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58020274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently, increased interest and efforts were observed in describing the possible interaction between sleep and emotions. Human and animal model studies addressed the implication of both sleep patterns and emotional processing in neurophysiology and neuropathology in suggesting a bidirectional interaction intimately modulated by complex mechanisms and factors. In this context, we aimed to discuss recent evidence and possible mechanisms implicated in this interaction, as provided by both human and animal models in studies. In addition, considering the affective component of brain physiological patterns, we aimed to find reasonable evidence in describing the two-way association between comorbid sleep impairments and psychiatric disorders. The main scientific literature databases (PubMed/Medline, Web of Science) were screened with keyword combinations for relevant content taking into consideration only English written papers and the inclusion and exclusion criteria, according to PRISMA guidelines. We found that a strong modulatory interaction between sleep processes and emotional states resides on the activity of several key brain structures, such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and brainstem nuclei. In addition, evidence suggested that physiologically and behaviorally related mechanisms of sleep are intimately interacting with emotional perception and processing which could advise the key role of sleep in the unconscious character of emotional processes. However, further studies are needed to explain and correlate the functional analysis with causative and protective factors of sleep impairments and negative emotional modulation on neurophysiologic processing, mental health, and clinical contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Radu Lefter
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch, B dul Carol I, no. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Roxana Oana Cojocariu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, no 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B dul Carol I, no 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, B dul Carol I, no 8, 700505 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Splaiul Independentei nr. 54, Sector 5, 050094 Bucuresti, Romania
| | - Ioana-Miruna Balmus
- Department of Exact Sciences and Natural Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Alexandru Lapusneanu Street, no. 26, 700057 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioannis Mavroudis
- Department of Neurology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
| | - Anna Kis
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
SUMMARY Aging is a universal feature of life and a complex process at all levels from the biological to the societal. What constitutes older age is subjective and flexible, and how one defines older age is influenced by everchanging individual, generational, and cultural expectations. As the global population ages at an unprecedented rate, we are increasingly confronted with a myriad of challenges associated with aging, including increased healthcare needs and the far-reaching negative consequences of individual and structural agism. However, the shift in world demographics toward an older population is not a growing burden, but an opportunity to reshape our view of older life and proactively embrace healthy aging. Indeed, a healthy person is not defined by the absence of illness, but by the potential for meaningful work, positive relationships, and longevity. Simple preventive measures, such as improved diet and increased exercise, can enhance overall health and quality of life, and growing evidence highlights the potential of positive psychology for improving psychological well-being and overall quality of life. Now more than ever, technological innovation including artificial intelligence can be leveraged to improve our understanding of the causes and consequences of aging, as well as the most effective interventions to enhance resilience and extend healthy longevity. Good health is our greatest asset. It is the responsibility of all-individuals, society, business, science, healthcare systems, and government-to ensure that everyone is well equipped to maintain good health. Together, we can all live better, longer.
Collapse
|
12
|
Axelsson J, Ingre M, Kecklund G, Lekander M, Wright KP, Sundelin T. Sleepiness as motivation: a potential mechanism for how sleep deprivation affects behavior. Sleep 2021; 43:5648004. [PMID: 31782961 PMCID: PMC7294403 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsz291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine how sleepiness and sleep deprivation drive the motivation to engage in different behaviors. METHODS We studied the sleepiness of 123 participants who had been randomized to sleep deprivation or normal sleep, and their willingness to engage in a range of everyday behaviors. RESULTS Self-reported sleepiness was a strong predictor of the motivation to engage in sleep-preparatory behaviors such as shutting one's eyes (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 2.19-3.52 for each step up on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale) and resting (OR = 3.20, CI: 2.46-4.16). Sleepiness was also related to the desire to be cared for by a loved one (OR = 1.49, CI: 1.22-1.82), and preparedness to utilize monetary and energy resources to get to sleep. Conversely, increased sleepiness was associated with a decreased motivation for social and physical activities (e.g. be with friends OR = 0.71, CI: 0.61-0.82; exercise OR = 0.65, CI: 0.56-0.76). Sleep deprivation had similar effects as sleepiness on these behaviors. Neither sleepiness nor sleep deprivation had strong associations with hunger, thirst, or food preferences. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that sleepiness is a dynamic motivational drive that promotes sleep-preparatory behaviors and competes with other drives and desired outcomes. Consequently, sleepiness may be a central mechanism by which impaired alertness, for example, due to insufficient sleep, contributes to poor quality of life and adverse health. We propose that sleepiness helps organize behaviors toward the specific goal of assuring sufficient sleep, in competition with other needs and incentives. A theoretical framework on sleepiness and its behavioral consequences are likely to improve our understanding of several disease mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Axelsson
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Ingre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute for Globally Distributed Research and Education (IGDORE), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Kecklund
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Lekander
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kenneth P Wright
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, CO
| | - Tina Sundelin
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Psychology, New York University, NY
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tamm S, Schwarz J, Thuné H, Kecklund G, Petrovic P, Åkerstedt T, Fischer H, Lekander M, Nilsonne G. A combined fMRI and EMG study of emotional contagion following partial sleep deprivation in young and older humans. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17944. [PMID: 33087746 PMCID: PMC7578048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74489-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep deprivation is proposed to inhibit top-down-control in emotion processing, but it is unclear whether sleep deprivation affects emotional mimicry and contagion. Here, we aimed to investigate effects of partial sleep deprivation on emotional contagion and mimicry in young and older humans. Participants underwent partial sleep deprivation (3 h sleep opportunity at the end of night), crossed-over with a full sleep condition in a balanced order, followed by a functional magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography (EMG) experiment with viewing of emotional and neutral faces and ratings of emotional responses. The final sample for main analyses was n = 69 (n = 36 aged 20–30 years, n = 33 aged 65–75 years). Partial sleep deprivation caused decreased activation in fusiform gyri for angry faces and decreased ratings of happiness for all stimuli, but no significant effect on the amygdala. Older participants reported more anger compared to younger participants, but no age differences were seen in brain responses to emotional faces or sensitivity to partial sleep deprivation. No effect of the sleep manipulation was seen on EMG. In conclusion, emotional contagion, but not mimicry, was affected by sleep deprivation. Our results are consistent with the previously reported increased negativity bias after insufficient sleep. The Stockholm sleepy brain study: effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive and emotional processing in young and old. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02000076.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Tamm
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Johanna Schwarz
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hanna Thuné
- Department of Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Göran Kecklund
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Predrag Petrovic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Åkerstedt
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Håkan Fischer
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mats Lekander
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gustav Nilsonne
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sleepiness, sleep duration, and human social activity: An investigation into bidirectionality using longitudinal time-use data. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:21209-21217. [PMID: 32817530 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004535117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Daytime sleepiness impairs cognitive ability, but recent evidence suggests it is also an important driver of human motivation and behavior. We aimed to investigate the relationship between sleepiness and a behavior strongly associated with better health: social activity. We additionally aimed to investigate whether a key driver of sleepiness, sleep duration, had a similar relationship with social activity. For these questions, we considered bidirectionality, time of day, and differences between workdays and days off. Over 3 wk, 641 working adults logged their behavior every 30 min, completed a sleepiness scale every 3 h, and filled a sleep diary every morning (rendering >292,000 activity and >70,000 sleepiness datapoints). Using generalized additive mixed-effect models, we analyzed potential nonlinear relationships between sleepiness/sleep duration and social activity. Greater sleepiness predicted a substantial decrease in the probability of social activity (odds ratio 95% CI = 0.34 to 0.35 for days off), as well as a decreased duration of such activity when it did occur. These associations appear especially robust on days off and in the evenings. Social duration moderated the typical time-of-day pattern of sleepiness, with, for example, extended evening socializing associated with lower sleepiness. Sleep duration did not robustly predict next-day social activity. However, extensive social activity (>5 h) predicted up to 30 min shorter subsequent sleep duration. These results indicate that sleepiness is a strong predictor of voluntary decreases in social contact. It is possible that bouts of sleepiness lead to social withdrawal and loneliness, both risk factors for mental and physical ill health.
Collapse
|
15
|
Ben Simon E, Vallat R, Barnes CM, Walker MP. Sleep Loss and the Socio-Emotional Brain. Trends Cogn Sci 2020; 24:435-450. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
|
16
|
Perucho I, Vijayakumar KM, Talamas SN, Chee MWL, Perrett DI, Liu JCJ. A Web-Based Photo-Alteration Intervention to Promote Sleep: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e12500. [PMID: 31573913 PMCID: PMC7017650 DOI: 10.2196/12500] [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: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Receiving insufficient sleep has wide-ranging consequences for health and well-being. Although educational programs have been developed to promote sleep, these have had limited success in extending sleep duration. To address this gap, we developed a Web-based program emphasizing how physical appearances change with varying amounts of sleep. Objective The aims of this study were to evaluate (1) whether participants can detect changes in appearances as a function of sleep and (2) whether this intervention can alter habitual sleep patterns. Methods We conducted a 5-week, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial among 70 habitual short sleepers (healthy adults who reported having <7 hours of sleep routinely). Upon study enrollment, participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either standard information or an appearance-based intervention. Both groups received educational materials about sleep, but those in the appearance group also viewed a website containing digitally edited photographs that showed how they would look with varying amounts of sleep. As the outcome variables, sleep duration was monitored objectively via actigraphy (at baseline and at postintervention weeks 1 and 4), and participants completed a measure of sleep hygiene (at baseline and at postintervention weeks 2, 4, and 5). For each outcome, we ran intention-to-treat analyses using linear mixed-effects models. Results In total, 35 participants were assigned to each group. Validating the intervention, participants in the appearance group (1) were able to identify what they looked like at baseline and (2) judged that they would look more attractive with a longer sleep duration (t26=10.35, P<.001). In turn, this translated to changes in sleep hygiene. Whereas participants in the appearance group showed improvements following the intervention (F1,107.99=9.05, P=.003), those in the information group did not (F1,84.7=0.19, P=.66). Finally, there was no significant effect of group nor interaction of group and time on actigraphy-measured sleep duration (smallest P=.26). Conclusions Our findings suggest that an appearance-based intervention, while not sufficient as a stand-alone, could have an adjunctive role in sleep promotion. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02491138; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02491138.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Perucho
- Division of Social Sciences, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Sean N Talamas
- School of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael Wei-Liang Chee
- Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David I Perrett
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Jean C J Liu
- Division of Social Sciences, Yale-NUS College, Singapore, Singapore.,Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Holding BC, Sundelin T, Cairns P, Perrett DI, Axelsson J. The effect of sleep deprivation on objective and subjective measures of facial appearance. J Sleep Res 2019; 28:e12860. [PMID: 31006920 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The faces of people who are sleep deprived are perceived by others as looking paler, less healthy and less attractive compared to when well rested. However, there is little research using objective measures to investigate sleep-loss-related changes in facial appearance. We aimed to assess the effects of sleep deprivation on skin colour, eye openness, mouth curvature and periorbital darkness using objective measures, as well as to replicate previous findings for subjective ratings. We also investigated the extent to which these facial features predicted ratings of fatigue by others and could be used to classify the sleep condition of the person. Subjects (n = 181) were randomised to one night of total sleep deprivation or a night of normal sleep (8-9 hr in bed). The following day facial photographs were taken and, in a subset (n = 141), skin colour was measured using spectrophotometry. A separate set of participants (n = 63) later rated the photographs in terms of health, paleness and fatigue. The photographs were also digitally analysed with respect to eye openness, mouth curvature and periorbital darkness. The results showed that neither sleep deprivation nor the subjects' sleepiness was related to differences in any facial variable. Similarly, there was no difference in subjective ratings between the groups. Decreased skin yellowness, less eye openness, downward mouth curvature and periorbital darkness all predicted increased fatigue ratings by others. However, the combination of appearance variables could not be accurately used to classify sleep condition. These findings have implications for both face-to-face and computerised visual assessment of sleep loss and fatigue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Holding
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tina Sundelin
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY.,Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patrick Cairns
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - David I Perrett
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - John Axelsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Axelsson J, Sundelin T, Olsson MJ, Sorjonen K, Axelsson C, Lasselin J, Lekander M. Identification of acutely sick people and facial cues of sickness. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:rspb.2017.2430. [PMID: 29298938 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection and avoidance of sick individuals have been proposed as essential components in a behavioural defence against disease, limiting the risk of contamination. However, almost no knowledge exists on whether humans can detect sick individuals, and if so by what cues. Here, we demonstrate that untrained people can identify sick individuals above chance level by looking at facial photos taken 2 h after injection with a bacterial stimulus inducing an immune response (2.0 ng kg-1 lipopolysaccharide) or placebo, the global sensitivity index being d' = 0.405. Signal detection analysis (receiver operating characteristic curve area) showed an area of 0.62 (95% confidence intervals 0.60-0.63). Acutely sick people were rated by naive observers as having paler lips and skin, a more swollen face, droopier corners of the mouth, more hanging eyelids, redder eyes, and less glossy and patchy skin, as well as appearing more tired. Our findings suggest that facial cues associated with the skin, mouth and eyes can aid in the detection of acutely sick and potentially contagious people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Axelsson
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden .,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tina Sundelin
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mats J Olsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kimmo Sorjonen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Axelsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julie Lasselin
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mats Lekander
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Akram U. The face of tiredness in insomnia from the self-perspective: A focus on attentional and interpretative biases. J Sleep Res 2018; 27:e12657. [PMID: 29372753 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Umair Akram
- Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
|