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Fekih-Romdhane F, Lamloum E, Loch AA, Cherif W, Cheour M, Hallit S. The relationship between internet gaming disorder and psychotic experiences: cyberbullying and insomnia severity as mediators. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:857. [PMID: 37978468 PMCID: PMC10657007 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05363-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nature of the relationship between Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and psychosis is unclear so far. There is evidence that greater time spent in playing video games may expose players to both insomnia and a toxic online environment with widespread cyberbullying. These two possible consequences of IGD may, in turn, be associated with greater psychotic experiences (PE). Based on this theoretical framework, the present study proposed to contribute the body of the knowledge in this area, by testing the possible indirect effects of insomnia severity, cyber-victimization and cyberbullying in the cross-sectional association between IGD and PE in a sample of Tunisian university students. METHOD We conducted a cross-sectional study over 4 months (February-May 2022). The Arabic versions of the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Internet Gaming disorder-20 Test, the Insomnia Severity Index, and the Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory-II were administered to a total of 851 students (mean age = 21.26 ± 1.68 years, 53.7% females). RESULTS We found that 25% of students were at risk of IGD, and 1.8% had an IGD. The results of the mediation analysis showed that insomnia severity fully mediated the association between IGD and paranoid ideation. Higher IGD was significantly associated with more insomnia severity, which was, in turn, significantly associated with more paranoid ideation. Cyberbullying partly mediated the association between IGD and psychoticism. Higher IGD scores were significantly associated with more cyberbullying, which was, in turn, significantly associated with more psychoticism. Finally, greater IGD was significantly and directly associated with higher psychoticism. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that insomnia and cyberbullying may be regarded as potential targets for youth mental health promotion, as well as community-focused prevention and early intervention in psychosis. More particular attention should be devoted to the huge potential for engaging in cyberbullying among online gamers. Sleep deprivation should be prevented, assessed and treated in heavy gamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry "Ibn Omrane", Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010, Tunisia.
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Eya Lamloum
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Alexandre Andrade Loch
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wissal Cherif
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry "Ibn Omrane", Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Majda Cheour
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry "Ibn Omrane", Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
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Fekih-Romdhane F, Stambouli M, Malaeb D, Farah N, Cheour M, Obeid S, Hallit S. Insomnia and distress as mediators on the relationship from cyber-victimization to self-reported psychotic experiences: a binational study from Tunisia and Lebanon. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:524. [PMID: 37475011 PMCID: PMC10360279 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05019-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While expansive research has accumulated concerning the association between traditional, face-to-face peer victimization and psychosis, a paucity of empirical research has been undertaken so far to investigate these associations with experiences of new and evolving ways of victimization through the digital world. Exploring these associations is highly relevant and timely, given that emerging adults are heavy users of digital technologies, highly exposed to online risks, and are at the peak age of onset of psychosis. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that psychological distress and insomnia symptoms have a significant indirect mediating effect on the association between cyber-victimization and self-reported positive psychotic experiences (SRPEs) in a binational sample of Tunisian and Lebanese community adults. METHOD The total sample was composed of 3766 participants; 3103 were from Lebanon (Mean age: 21.73 ± 3.80 years, 63.6% females) and 663 from Tunisia (Mean age: 26.32 ± 4.86 years, 59.9% females). Online anonymous self-report questionnaires were administered to all participants. RESULTS Higher SRPEs were found in Lebanese participants compared to Tunisians, in single participants compared to married ones, in those with a university level of education compared to secondary or less, in those who live in rural areas compared to urban, in those who do not smoke, do not drink alcohol and do not use marijuana or any other illegal drug. Furthermore, more cyber-victimization, a higher insomnia severity and psychological distress were significantly associated with higher SRPEs. After adjusting for potential confounders, mediation analysis demonstrated that higher cyber-victimization was significantly associated with more insomnia severity/psychological distress; which were, in turn, significantly associated with greater SRPEs. Finally, more cyber-victimization was significantly and directly associated with more positive dimension. CONCLUSION Identifying insomnia and distress as mediators could provide novel insight for psychosis prevention efforts and intervention targets for cyber-victimized individuals prone to experience subclinical psychotic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry “Ibn Omrane”, Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010 Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Manel Stambouli
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry “Ibn Omrane”, Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010 Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nour Farah
- Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Majda Cheour
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry “Ibn Omrane”, Razi hospital, Manouba, 2010 Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sahar Obeid
- School of Arts and Sciences, Social and Education Sciences Department, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
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Knudsen CB, Hemager N, Jepsen JRM, Gregersen M, Greve AN, Andreassen AK, Veddum L, Brandt JM, Krantz MF, Søndergaard A, Burton BK, Thorup AAE, Nordentoft M, Lambek R, Mors O, Bliksted VF. Early Childhood Neurocognition in Relation to Middle Childhood Psychotic Experiences in Children at Familial High Risk of Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder and Population-Based Controls: The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:756-767. [PMID: 36548470 PMCID: PMC10154705 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Familial high-risk (FHR) studies examining longitudinal associations between neurocognition and psychotic experiences are currently lacking. We hypothesized neurocognitive impairments at age 7 to be associated with increased risk of psychotic experiences from age 7 to 11 in children at familial high risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ) or bipolar disorder (FHR-BP) and population-based controls (PBC), and further, impaired functioning in some neurocognitive functions to be associated with greater risk of psychotic experiences in children at FHR-SZ or FHR-BP relative to PBC. STUDY DESIGN Neurocognition was assessed at age 7 (early childhood) and psychotic experiences from age 7 to 11 (middle childhood) in 449 children from the Danish High Risk and Resilience Study. The neurocognitive assessment covered intelligence, processing speed, attention, visuospatial and verbal memory, working memory, and set-shifting. Psychotic experiences were assessed through face-to-face interviews with the primary caregiver and the child. STUDY RESULTS Set-shifting impairments at age 7 were associated with greater risk of psychotic experiences from age 7 to 11 in children at FHR-SZ. Children at FHR-BP and PBC showed no differential associations. Working memory and visuospatial memory impairments were related to increased risk of psychotic experiences across the cohort. However, adjusting for concurrent psychopathology attenuated these findings. CONCLUSIONS Early childhood neurocognitive impairments are risk markers of middle childhood psychotic experiences, of which impaired set-shifting appears to further increase the risk of psychotic experiences in children at FHR-SZ. More research is needed to examine longitudinal associations between neurocognitive impairments and psychotic experiences in FHR samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Bruun Knudsen
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry, Børglumvej 5, 1st floor, 8240 Risskov, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nicoline Hemager
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- CORE – Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- CORE – Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR), Mental Health Center, Glostrup, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maja Gregersen
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- CORE – Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aja Neergaard Greve
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna Krogh Andreassen
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry, Børglumvej 5, 1st floor, 8240 Risskov, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lotte Veddum
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry, Børglumvej 5, 1st floor, 8240 Risskov, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julie Marie Brandt
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- CORE – Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Falkenberg Krantz
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- CORE – Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Søndergaard
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- CORE – Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Klee Burton
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital – Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anne Amalie Elgaard Thorup
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Copenhagen University Hospital – Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Nordentoft
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- CORE – Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Lambek
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole Mors
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Fuglsang Bliksted
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry, Børglumvej 5, 1st floor, 8240 Risskov, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research – iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Fekih-Romdhane F, Malaeb D, Loch AA, Farah N, Stambouli M, Cheour M, Obeid S, Hallit S. Problematic Smartphone Use Mediates the Pathway from Suicidal Ideation to Positive Psychotic Experiences: a Large Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Study. Int J Ment Health Addict 2023:1-18. [PMID: 36820017 PMCID: PMC9930705 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-023-01028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study followed the newly hypothesized "suicidal drive for psychosis" suggesting that psychosis may be consequential to suicidal ideation (SI) and behavior and attempted to explain parts of the pathway between these variables. To this end, we aimed to test whether problematic smartphone use (PSU) has an indirect mediating effect in the cross-sectional relationship between SI and positive psychotic experiences (PEs). Lebanese community young adults (N=4158; 64.4% females; mean age 21.91±3.79) have been invited to participate to a cross-sectional, web-based study in the period from June to September 2022. After adjusting for potential confounders (i.e., the living situation, marital status, household crowding index, economic pressure, cannabis use, other drugs use, and past history of mental illness other than psychosis), we found that higher levels of suicidal ideation was significantly associated with greater PSU, which was also positively and significantly associated with more positive PEs. Finally, greater suicidal ideation was significantly and directly associated with more positive PEs. Our findings suggest that SPU may be regarded as a potential target for prevention and intervention in psychosis. Clinicians, educators, and school administrators ought to give greater attention to PSU among vulnerable young people who present with SI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry “Ibn Omrane”, Razi Hospital, 2010 Manouba, Tunisia
- Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Diana Malaeb
- College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alexandre Andrade Loch
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nour Farah
- Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Manel Stambouli
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry “Ibn Omrane”, Razi Hospital, 2010 Manouba, Tunisia
- Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Majda Cheour
- The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Department of Psychiatry “Ibn Omrane”, Razi Hospital, 2010 Manouba, Tunisia
- Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sahar Obeid
- School of Arts and Sciences, Social and Education Sciences Department, Lebanese American University, Jbeil, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon
- Psychology Department, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jeddah, 21478 Saudi Arabia
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon
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Staines L, Healy C, Coughlan H, Clarke M, Kelleher I, Cotter D, Cannon M. Psychotic experiences in the general population, a review; definition, risk factors, outcomes and interventions. Psychol Med 2022; 52:1-12. [PMID: 36004805 PMCID: PMC9772919 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722002550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Psychotic experiences (PE) are common in the general population, in particular in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. PE have been shown to be associated with an increased risk for later psychotic disorders, mental disorders, and poorer functioning. Recent findings have highlighted the relevance of PE to many fields of healthcare, including treatment response in clinical services for anxiety & depression treatment, healthcare costs and service use. Despite PE relevance to many areas of mental health, and healthcare research, there remains a gap of information between PE researchers and experts in other fields. With this review, we aim to bridge this gap by providing a broad overview of the current state of PE research, and future directions. This narrative review aims to provide an broad overview of the literature on psychotic experiences, under the following headings: (1) Definition and Measurement of PE; (2) Risk Factors for PE; (3) PE and Health; (4) PE and Psychosocial Functioning; (5) Interventions for PE, (6) Future Directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Staines
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Colm Healy
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Helen Coughlan
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Department Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Department Psychiatry Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Ian Kelleher
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Lucena Clinic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Rathgar, Dublin 6, Ireland
| | - David Cotter
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Department Psychiatry Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Mary Cannon
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Department Psychiatry Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
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Ameen RW, Warshawski A, Fu L, Antle MC. Early life circadian rhythm disruption in mice alters brain and behavior in adulthood. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7366. [PMID: 35513413 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11335-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthy sleep supports robust development of the brain and behavior. Modern society presents a host of challenges that can impair and disrupt critical circadian rhythms that reinforce optimal physiological functioning, including the proper timing and consolidation of sleep. While the acute effects of inadequate sleep and disrupted circadian rhythms are being defined, the adverse developmental consequences of disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms are understudied. Here, we exposed mice to disrupting light–dark cycles from birth until weaning and demonstrate that such exposure has adverse impacts on brain and behavior as adults. Mice that experience early-life circadian disruption exhibit more anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze, poorer spatial memory in the Morris Water Maze, and impaired working memory in a delayed match-to-sample task. Additionally, neuron morphology in the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex is adversely impacted. Pyramidal cells in these areas had smaller dendritic fields, and pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus also exhibited diminished branching orders. Disrupted mice were also hyperactive as adults, but otherwise exhibited no alteration in adult circadian locomotor rhythms. These results highlight that circadian disruption early in life may have long lasting and far-reaching consequences for the development of behavior and the brain.
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