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Sleep loss disrupts the neural signature of successful learning.
Guttesen, AÁV, Gaskell, MG, Madden, EV, Appleby, G, Cross, ZR, Cairney, SA
Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991). 2023;33(5):1610-1625
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Plain language summary
Understanding how sleep disturbances impair learning and memory is increasingly important in modern society, where many people fail to regularly obtain an adequate amount of sleep. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep-associated consolidation and next-day learning and how suppressing slow-wave activity (SWA) [during slow-wave sleep, electrical activity in the brain changes while the body relaxes into deep and restorative rest] contributes to this relationship. This study was a within-subjects (n = 30), crossover design which showed that sleep improved both memory retention and next-day learning however, there was no evidence of a relationship between these measures or with SWA. Furthermore, an absence of sleep disrupts the neural operations underpinning memory encoding, leading to suboptimal performance. Authors conclude that an extended lack of sleep might disrupt the ability to draw upon semantic knowledge when encoding novel associations, necessitating the use of more surface-based and ultimately suboptimal routes to learning.
Abstract
Sleep supports memory consolidation as well as next-day learning. The influential "Active Systems" account of offline consolidation suggests that sleep-associated memory processing paves the way for new learning, but empirical evidence in support of this idea is scarce. Using a within-subjects (n = 30), crossover design, we assessed behavioral and electrophysiological indices of episodic encoding after a night of sleep or total sleep deprivation in healthy adults (aged 18-25 years) and investigated whether behavioral performance was predicted by the overnight consolidation of episodic associations from the previous day. Sleep supported memory consolidation and next-day learning as compared to sleep deprivation. However, the magnitude of this sleep-associated consolidation benefit did not significantly predict the ability to form novel memories after sleep. Interestingly, sleep deprivation prompted a qualitative change in the neural signature of encoding: Whereas 12-20 Hz beta desynchronization-an established marker of successful encoding-was observed after sleep, sleep deprivation disrupted beta desynchrony during successful learning. Taken together, these findings suggest that effective learning depends on sleep but not necessarily on sleep-associated consolidation.
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Effects of Two Physical Activity Interventions on Sleep and Sedentary Time in Pregnant Women.
Alomairah, SA, Knudsen, SP, Roland, CB, Molsted, S, Clausen, TD, Bendix, JM, Løkkegaard, E, Jensen, AK, Larsen, JE, Jennum, P, et al
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2023;20(7)
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Pregnant women benefit from physical activity (PA) during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the FitMum PA interventions on sleep quantity and quality and sedentary time (SED). This study was a secondary analysis of the FitMum study which included 220 healthy pregnant women. Participants were randomised to one of three groups. Results showed that pregnant women are prone to low sleep quality and high SED, which worsens as pregnancy progresses. Pregnant women who received structured supervised exercise training had better sleep quality and less SED than pregnant women receiving standard prenatal care when self-reported. Furthermore, when measured by a consumer activity tracker, no differences were observed between groups. Authors conclude that interventions that increase PA levels might improve sleep quality and decrease SED in pregnant women. Future behavioural interventions targeting pregnant women should include evidence-based content to improve sleep quality and reduce SED.
Abstract
Pregnancy is often associated with poor sleep and high sedentary time (SED). We investigated the effect of physical activity (PA) interventions on sleep and SED in pregnant women. A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (n = 219) explored the effect of structured supervised exercise training (EXE) or motivational counseling on PA (MOT) compared to standard prenatal care (CON) on sleep and SED during pregnancy. Three times during pregnancy, sleep was determined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and SED by the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Also, a wrist-worn consumer activity tracker measured sleep and SED continuously. Data from the activity tracker confirmed that sleep time decreases, and SED increases by approx. 30 and 24 min/day, respectively, from baseline (maximum gestational age (GA) week 15) to delivery. Compared to CON, the global PSQI score was better for EXE in GA week 28 (-0.8 [-1.5; -0.1], p = 0.031) and for both EXE and MOT in GA week 34 (-1 [-2; -0.5], p = 0.002; -1 [-2; -0.1], p = 0.026). In GA week 28, SED (h/day) from PPAQ was lower in EXE compared to both CON and MOT (-0.69 [-1; -0.0], p = 0.049; -0.6 [-1.0; -0.02], p = 0.042). In conclusion, PA interventions during pregnancy improved sleep quality and reduced SED.
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Neurobiologically informed treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa: a novel approach to a chronic disorder.
Knatz, S, Wierenga, CE, Murray, SB, Hill, L, Kaye, WH
Dialogues in clinical neuroscience. 2015;17(2):229-36
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Anorexia nervosa (NA) is a serious disorder that can have significant medical and psychological impairment. The magnitude of its impact and risk to long-term health means the development of an effective treatment protocol is of critical importance. Advances in brain imaging have led to an improved understanding of the disease. Studies suggest that AN individuals tend to have specific personality traits related to neural circuit functions that can maintain the disorder. These include perfectionism, anxiety, inflexibility and harm avoidance. Imaging data suggests that anticipated anxiety may contribute to food restriction. Treatment is moving from focusing on symptoms to the psychopathology and physiology underpinning the disorder. The Neurobiologically Enhanced With Family Eating Disorder Trait Response Treatment (NEW FED TR) was developed on the basis of neurobiology and AN specific etiology. It is delivered to AN patients and their carers (friends, family, spouse, siblings) and targets their cognitions and eating behaviours.
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe and debilitating disorder with significant medical and psychological sequelae. To date, there are no effective treatments for adults, resulting in high rates of chronicity, morbidity, and mortality. Recent advances in brain imaging research have led to an improved understanding of etiology and specific neurobiological mechanisms underlying symptoms. Despite this, there are no treatments focused on targeting symptoms using this empirically supported mechanistic understanding of the illness. Updated treatment approaches focused on targeting neurobiological mechanisms underlying core AN symptomatology are necessary to improve treatment out-comes for this population. Neurobiologically Enhanced With Family Eating Disorder Trait Response Treatment (NEW FED TR) is a neurobiologically informed treatment targeting key temperament constructs associated with the illness through the delivery of psychoeducation and skills training to patients and nominated carers. La anorexia nerviosa (AN) es un trastorno grave y debilitante con importantes secuelas médicas y psicológicas. A la fecha no existen tratamientos efectivos para adultos, lo que lleva a altas frecuencias de cronicidad, morbilidad y mortalidad. Avances recientes en la investigación imaginológica han conducido a un progreso en la comprensión de la etiología y de los mecanismos neurobiológicos específicos de los síntomas subyacentes. A pesar de esto, no existen tratamientos enfocados en los síntomas blanco que utilicen esta comprensión mecanicista con un sus-tento empírico de la enfermedad. Para mejorar los resultados terapéuticos para esta población es necesario que las aproximaciones terapéuticas actuales se enfoquen en los mecanismos neurobiológicos blanco a la base de la sintomatología central de la AN. El NEW FED TR (Neuro-biologically Enhanced With Family Eating Disorder Trait Response Treatment) es un tratamiento neurobiológicamente informado que apunta a constructos temperamentales clave asociados con la enfermedad a través de la entrega de psicoeducación y entrenamiento en herramientas para pacientes y cuidadores designados. L'anorexie mentale est une maladie sévère et invalidante aux séquelles médicales et psychologiques importantes. À ce jour, il n'existe pas de traitement efficace chez l'adulte ; les taux de chronicité, morbidité et mortalité sont donc élevés. Des avancées récentes de la recherche en imagerie cérébrale ont permis de mieux comprendre l'étiologie et les mécanismes neurobiologiques spécifiques à l'origine des symptômes. Mais malgré cela, aucun traitement ciblant les symptômes et fondé sur cette compréhension mécanistique de la maladie sur des bases empiriques n'a vu le jour. Améliorer les résultats des traitements pour cette population nécessite d'actualiser ceux qui ciblent les mécanismes neurobiologiques au coeur de l'anorexie mentale. Le NEW FED TR (Neurobiologically Enhanced With Family Eating Disorder Trait Response Treatment) est un programme thérapeutique neurobiologique ciblant les concepts de personnalité clés associés à la maladie en faisant bénéficier les patients et les soignants désignés de mesures psychoéducatives et d'acquisition de compétences.