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Halonen R, Kuula L, Selin M, Suutari A, Antila M, Pesonen AK. REM Sleep Preserves Affective Response to Social Stress-Experimental Study. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0453-23.2024. [PMID: 38802242 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0453-23.2024] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Sleep's contribution to affective regulation is insufficiently understood. Previous human research has focused on memorizing or rating affective pictures and less on physiological affective responsivity. This may result in overlapping definitions of affective and declarative memories and inconsistent deductions for how rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) and slow-wave sleep (SWS) are involved. Literature associates REMS theta (4-8 Hz) activity with emotional memory processing, but its contribution to social stress habituation is unknown. Applying selective sleep stage suppression and oscillatory analyses, we investigated how sleep modulated affective adaptation toward social stress and retention of neutral declarative memories. Native Finnish participants (N = 29; age, M = 25.8 years) were allocated to REMS or SWS suppression conditions. We measured physiological (skin conductance response, SCR) and subjective stress response and declarative memory retrieval thrice: before laboratory night, the next morning, and after 3 d. Linear mixed models were applied to test the effects of condition and sleep parameters on emotional responsivity and memory retrieval. Greater overnight increase in SCR toward the stressor emerged after suppressed SWS (intact REMS) relative to suppressed REMS (20.1% vs 6.1%; p = 0.016). The overnight SCR increase was positively associated with accumulated REMS theta energy irrespective of the condition (r = 0.601; p = 0.002). Subjectively rated affective response and declarative memory recall were comparable between the conditions. The contributions of REMS and SWS to habituation of social stress are distinct. REMS theta activity proposedly facilitates the consolidation of autonomic affective responses. Declarative memory consolidation may not have greater dependence on intact SWS relative to intact REMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risto Halonen
- SleepWell Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Liisa Kuula
- SleepWell Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Maikki Selin
- SleepWell Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Alma Suutari
- SleepWell Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Minea Antila
- SleepWell Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Anu-Katriina Pesonen
- SleepWell Research Program Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
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Cabrera Y, Koymans KJ, Poe GR, Kessels HW, Van Someren EJW, Wassing R. Overnight neuronal plasticity and adaptation to emotional distress. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:253-271. [PMID: 38443627 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-024-00799-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Expressions such as 'sleep on it' refer to the resolution of distressing experiences across a night of sound sleep. Sleep is an active state during which the brain reorganizes the synaptic connections that form memories. This Perspective proposes a model of how sleep modifies emotional memory traces. Sleep-dependent reorganization occurs through neurophysiological events in neurochemical contexts that determine the fates of synapses to grow, to survive or to be pruned. We discuss how low levels of acetylcholine during non-rapid eye movement sleep and low levels of noradrenaline during rapid eye movement sleep provide a unique window of opportunity for plasticity in neuronal representations of emotional memories that resolves the associated distress. We integrate sleep-facilitated adaptation over three levels: experience and behaviour, neuronal circuits, and synaptic events. The model generates testable hypotheses for how failed sleep-dependent adaptation to emotional distress is key to mental disorders, notably disorders of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress with the common aetiology of insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesenia Cabrera
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Karin J Koymans
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gina R Poe
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Helmut W Kessels
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Synaptic Plasticity and Behaviour, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Society for Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eus J W Van Someren
- Department of Sleep and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, An Institute of the Royal Netherlands Society for Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology and Psychiatry, VU University, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, VU University, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rick Wassing
- Sleep and Circadian Research, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Abstract
Sleep plays a crucial role in the consolidation of memories, including those for fear acquisition and extinction training. This chapter reviews findings from studies testing this relationship in laboratory, naturalistic, and clinical settings. While evidence is mixed, several studies in humans have linked fear and extinction recall/retention to both rapid eye-movement and slow wave sleep. Sleep appears to further aid in the processing of both simulated and actual trauma and improves psychotherapeutic treatment outcomes in those with anxiety and trauma- and stressor-related disorders. This chapter concludes with a discussion of the current challenges facing sleep and emotional memory research in addition to suggestions for improving future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Bottary
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura D Straus
- Department of Research, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Edward F Pace-Schott
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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Riemann D, Benz F, Dressle RJ, Espie CA, Johann AF, Blanken TF, Leerssen J, Wassing R, Henry AL, Kyle SD, Spiegelhalder K, Van Someren EJW. Insomnia disorder: State of the science and challenges for the future. J Sleep Res 2022; 31:e13604. [PMID: 35460140 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Insomnia disorder comprises symptoms during night and day that strongly affect quality of life and wellbeing. Prolonged sleep latency, difficulties to maintain sleep and early morning wakening characterize sleep complaints, whereas fatigue, reduced attention, impaired cognitive functioning, irritability, anxiety and low mood are key daytime impairments. Insomnia disorder is well acknowledged in all relevant diagnostic systems: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, 5th revision, International Classification of Sleep Disorders, 3rd version, and International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision. Insomnia disorder as a chronic condition is frequent (up to 10% of the adult population, with a preponderance of females), and signifies an important and independent risk factor for physical and, especially, mental health. Insomnia disorder diagnosis primarily rests on self-report. Objective measures like actigraphy or polysomnography are not (yet) part of the routine diagnostic canon, but play an important role in research. Disease concepts of insomnia range from cognitive-behavioural models to (epi-) genetics and psychoneurobiological approaches. The latter is derived from knowledge about basic sleep-wake regulation and encompass theories like rapid eye movement sleep instability/restless rapid eye movement sleep. Cognitive-behavioural models of insomnia led to the conceptualization of cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia, which is now considered as first-line treatment for insomnia worldwide. Future research strategies will include the combination of experimental paradigms with neuroimaging and may benefit from more attention to dysfunctional overnight alleviation of distress in insomnia. With respect to therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia merits widespread implementation, and digital cognitive-behavioural therapy may assist delivery along treatment guidelines. However, given the still considerable proportion of patients responding insufficiently to cognitive-behavioural therapy for insomnia, fundamental studies are highly necessary to better understand the brain and behavioural mechanisms underlying insomnia. Mediators and moderators of treatment response/non-response and the associated development of tailored and novel interventions also require investigation. Recent studies suggest that treatment of insomnia may prove to add significantly as a preventive strategy to combat the global burden of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Riemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.,Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fee Benz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Raphael J Dressle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Colin A Espie
- Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Big Health Ltd, London, UK.,Big Health Ltd, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Anna F Johann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tessa F Blanken
- Department of Psychological Methods, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanne Leerssen
- Department of Sleep and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Wassing
- Centre for Integrated Research and Understanding of Sleep (CIRUS), Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, The Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alasdair L Henry
- Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Big Health Ltd, London, UK.,Big Health Ltd, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Simon D Kyle
- Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kai Spiegelhalder
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eus J W Van Someren
- Department of Sleep and Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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