Dreaming has content and meaning not just form

2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 959-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milton Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Dream Content ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Current Concerns ◽  
The Impact

The biological theories of dreaming provide no explanation for the transduction from neuronal discharge to dreaming or waking consciousness. They cannot account for the variability in dream content between individuals or within individuals. Mind-brain isomorphism is poorly supported, as is dreaming's link to REM sleep. Biological theories of dreaming do not provide a function for dreaming nor a meaning for dreams. Evolutionary views of dreaming do not relate dream content to the current concerns of the dreamer and using the nightmare as the paradigm dream minimizes the impact of poor sleep on adaptations.[Hobson et al.; Nielsen; Revonsuo; Solms]

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Daily Rapid-Eye Movement Sleep and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 159-159
Author(s):  
Tiana Broen ◽  
Tomiko Yoneda ◽  
Jonathan Rush ◽  
Jamie Knight ◽  
Nathan Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Previous cross-sectional research suggests that age-related decreases in Rapid-Eye Movement (REM) sleep may contribute to poorer cognitive functioning (CF); however, few studies have examined the relationship at the intraindividual level by measuring habitual sleep over multiple days. Applying a 14-day daily diary design, the current study examines the dynamic relationship between REM sleep and CF in 69 healthy older adults (M age=70.8 years, SD=3.37; 73.9% female; 66.6% completed at least an undergraduate degree). A Fitbit device provided actigraphy indices of REM sleep (minutes and percentage of total sleep time), while CF was measured four times daily on a smartphone via ambulatory cognitive tests that captured processing speed and working memory. This research addressed the following questions: At the within-person level, are fluctuations in quantity of REM sleep associated with fluctuations in next day cognitive measures across days? Do individuals who spend more time in REM sleep on average, perform better on cognitive tests than adults who spend less time in REM sleep? A series of multilevel models were fit to examine the extent to which each index of sleep accounted for daily fluctuations in performance on next day cognitive tests. Results indicated that during nights when individuals had more REM sleep minutes than was typical, they performed better on the working memory task the next morning (estimate = -.003, SE = .002, p = .02). These results highlight the impact of REM sleep on CF, and further research may allow for targeted interventions for earlier treatment of sleep-related cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Left superior temporal sulcus morphometry mediates the impact of anxiety and depressive symptoms on sleep quality in healthy adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanlin Wang ◽  
Ping Jiang ◽  
Shi Tang ◽  
Lu Lu ◽  
Xuan Bu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Superior Temporal Sulcus ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Anxiety and depressive symptoms may predispose individuals to sleep disturbance. Understanding how these emotional symptoms affect sleep quality, especially the underlying neural basis, could support the development of effective treatment. The aims of the present study were therefore to investigate potential changes in brain morphometry associated with poor sleep quality and whether this structure played a mediating role between the emotional symptoms and sleep quality. One hundred and forty-one healthy adults (69 women, mean age = 26.06 years, SD = 6.36 years) were recruited. A structural magnetic resonance imaging investigation was performed, and self-reported measures of anxiety, depressive symptoms and sleep quality were obtained for each participant. Whole-brain regression analysis revealed that worse sleep quality was associated with thinner cortex in left superior temporal sulcus (STS). Furthermore, the thickness of left STS mediated the association between the emotional symptoms and sleep quality. A subsequent commonality analysis showed that physiological component of the depressive symptoms had the greatest influence on sleep quality. In conclusion, thinner cortex in left STS may represent a neural substrate for the association between anxiety and depressive symptoms and poor sleep quality and may thus serve as a potential target for neuromodulatory treatment of sleep problems.

024 Quiescent Wakefulness: Characterising the Impact of Oxytocin on Sleep-Wake Behaviour in Male and Female Rats

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A11-A11
Author(s):  
Joel Raymond ◽  
Nicholas Everett ◽  
Anand Gururajan ◽  
Michael Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Conscious State ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Routes Of Administration ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Competing Hypotheses ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Oxytocin is a versatile hypothalamic neuropeptide involved in diverse neurobehavioural processes. Since oxytocin can elicit anxiolytic and serenic effects, one could hypothesise that oxytocin should prime the brain for sleep and promote hypnogenesis. However, based on the social salience hypothesis—that oxytocin promotes prosocial behaviour and directs attention toward social stimuli—one could also posit that oxytocin should promote wakefulness. At present, little research has comprehensively characterised the effect of oxytocin on sleep-wake behaviour and no explanation to reconcile these two seemingly competing hypotheses has been proposed. Methods This study investigated the effects of oxytocin on sleep-wake outcomes using radiotelemetry-based polysomnography in adult male and female Wistar rats. Oxytocin was administered via the intraperitoneal (IP; 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg) and intranasal (IN; 0.06, 1, 3 mg/kg) routes. Caffeine (IP and IN; 10 mg/kg) was also administered as a wake-promoting positive control. Additionally, pre-treatment with the oxytocin receptor (OTR) antagonist L-368,899 (IP; 5 mg/kg) and vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) antagonist SR49059 (IP; 1 mg/kg) followed by oxytocin (IP; 1 mg/kg) was conducted to determine which receptor(s) mediated sleep-wake effects of oxytocin. Results In both male and female rats, IP oxytocin produced dose-dependent effects on sleep-wake behaviour. Specifically, oxytocin initially promoted quiescent wakefulness (a restful but conscious state) at the cost of reducing both active wakefulness and sleep. Throughout the 1.5-hour period post-administration, oxytocin delayed REM sleep onset and reduced the proportion of both NREM and REM sleep. Conversely, IN oxytocin did not significantly alter any sleep-wake parameters at any dose tested. Caffeine demonstrated wake-promoting effects under both the IP and IN routes of administration. The involvement of OTR and V1aR binding in oxytocin-induced effects on sleep-wake outcomes will be discussed. Conclusion These findings appear to reconcile the two competing hypotheses: in rats, IP oxytocin appears to promote a state of quiescent wakefulness—one of calm and rest, but also of conscious responsivity to environmental stimuli. IN oxytocin demonstrated little to no effect on sleep-wake behaviour, which is a crucial finding given the escalating use of IN oxytocin as a therapeutic for conditions with comorbid disordered sleep. Support (if any) None.

scholarly journals 1142 Comprehensive Phenotyping Of Ambulatory Sleep Patterns In Multiple Sclerosis

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A435-A435
Author(s):  
T J Braley ◽  
A L Kratz ◽  
D Whibley ◽  
C Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
External Support ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Sleep Patterns ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction The majority of sleep research in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has been siloed, restricted to evaluation of one or a few sleep measures in isolation. To fully characterize the impact of sleep disturbances in MS, multifaceted phenotyping of sleep is required. The objective of this study was to more comprehensively quantify sleep in PwMS, using a recently developed multi-domain framework of duration, continuity, regularity, sleepiness/alertness, and quality. Methods Data were derived from a parent study that examined associations between actigraphy and polysomnography-based measures of sleep and cognitive function in MS. Actigraphy was recorded in n=55 PwMS for 7-12 days (Actiwatch2®, Philips Respironics). Sleep metrics included: duration=mean total sleep time (TST, minutes); continuity=mean wake time after sleep onset (minutes), and regularity=stddev wake-up time (hours). ‘Extreme’ values for continuity/regularity were defined as the most extreme third of the distributions. ‘Extreme’ TST values were defined as the lowest or highest sixth of the distributions. Sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score) and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) sleep quality item] were dichotomized by accepted cutoffs (>10 and >1, respectively). Results Sleep was recorded for a mean of 8.2 days (stddev=0.95). Median (1st, 3rd quartile) values were as follows: duration 459.79 (430.75, 490.60), continuity 37.00 (23.44, 52.57), regularity 1.02 (0.75, 1.32), sleepiness/alertness 8 (4, 12), and sleep quality 1.00 (1.00, 2.00). Extreme values based on data distributions were: short sleep <=426.25 minutes (18%), long sleep >515.5 minutes (16%), poor sleep continuity ≥45 minutes (33%), and poor sleep regularity ≥1.17 hours (33%). Sleepiness and poor sleep quality were present in 36% and 40% respectively. For comparison, in a historical cohort of non-MS patients, the extreme third of sleep regularity was a stddev of 0.75 hours, 13% had ESS of >10, and 16% had poor sleep quality. Conclusion In this study of ambulatory sleep patterns in PwMS, we found greater irregularity of sleep-wake timing, and higher prevalence of sleepiness and poor sleep quality than published normative data. Efforts should be made to include these measures in the assessment of sleep-related contributions to MS outcomes. Support The authors received no external support for this work.

scholarly journals Impact of an Online Sleep and Circadian Education Program on University Students’ Sleep Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10180
Author(s):  
Caitlin R. Semsarian ◽  
Gabrielle Rigney ◽  
Peter A. Cistulli ◽  
Yu Sun Bin
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Stages Of Change ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Course Grades ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The Impact

University students consistently report poor sleep. We conducted a before-and-after study to evaluate the impact of an online 10-week course on undergraduate students’ sleep knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours at 6-month follow-up. Data were collected via baseline course surveys (August–September 2020) and follow-up surveys distributed via email (February–March 2021). n = 212 students completed baseline surveys and n = 75 (35%) completed follow-up. Students retained to follow-up possessed higher baseline sleep knowledge and received higher course grades. At the 6-month follow-up, sleep knowledge had increased (mean score out of 5: 3.0 vs. 4.2, p < 0.001). At baseline, 85% of students aimed to increase their sleep knowledge and 83% aimed to improve their sleep. At follow-up, 91% reported being more knowledgeable and 37% reported improved sleep. A novel Stages of Change item revealed that 53% of students’ attitudes towards their sleep behaviours had changed from baseline. There was a reduction in sleep latency at follow-up (mean 33.3 vs. 25.6 min, p = 0.015), but no change in the total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. In summary, completion of an online course led to increased sleep and circadian knowledge and changed sleep attitudes, with no meaningful change in sleep behaviours. Future interventions should consider components of behavioural change that go beyond the knowledge–attitudes–behaviour continuum.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women’s Reproductive Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phelan Niamh ◽  
Lucy Ann Behan ◽  
Lisa Owens
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Cycle Length ◽  
Home Schooling ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Women’S Reproductive Health ◽  
Women's Reproductive Health ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the lives of the global population. It is known that periods of stress and psychological distress can affect women’s menstrual cycles. We therefore performed an observational study of women’s reproductive health over the course of the pandemic thus far.Materials and MethodsAn anonymous digital survey was shared by the authors via social media in September 2020. All women of reproductive age were invited to complete the survey.Results1031 women completed the survey. Mean age was 36.7 ± 6.6 years (range, 15–54). 693/70% reported recording their cycles using an app or diary. 233/23% were using hormonal contraception. 441/46% reported a change in their menstrual cycle since the beginning of the pandemic. 483/53% reported worsening premenstrual symptoms, 100/18% reported new menorrhagia (p = 0.003) and 173/30% new dysmenorrhea (p &lt; 0.0001) compared to before the pandemic. 72/9% reported missed periods who not previously missed periods (p = 0.003) and the median number of missed periods was 2 (1–3). 17/21% of those who “occasionally” missed periods pre-pandemic missed periods “often” during pandemic. 467/45% reported a reduced libido. There was no change in the median cycle length (28 days) or days of bleeding (5) but there was a wider variability of cycle length (p = 0.01) and a 1 day median decrease in the minimum (p &lt; 0.0001) and maximum (p = 0.009) cycle length. Women reported a median 2 kg increase in self-reported weight and a 30-min increase in median weekly exercise. 517/50% of women stated that their diet was worse and 232/23% that it was better than before the pandemic. 407/40% reported working more and 169/16% were working less. Women related a significant increase in low mood (p &lt; 0.0001), poor appetite (p &lt; 0.0001), binge eating (p &lt; 0.0001), poor concentration (p &lt; 0.0001), anxiety (p &lt; 0.0001), poor sleep (p &lt; 0.0001), loneliness (p &lt; 0.0001) and excess alcohol use (p &lt; 0.0001). Specific stressors reported included work stress (499/48%), difficulty accessing healthcare (254/25%), change in financial (201/19%) situation, difficulties with home schooling (191/19%) or childcare (99/10%), family or partner conflict (170/16%), family illness or bereavement (156/15%).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the reproductive health of women. The long term health implications of this are yet to be determined and future studies should address this.

scholarly journals A study on sleep apnea in patients with abnormal sewda type of depression

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Aman Gul ◽  
Nassirhadjy Memtily ◽  
Pirdun Mijit ◽  
Palidan Wushuer ◽  
Ainiwaer Talifu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Sleep Efficiency ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Sleep Structure ◽  
Maintenance Rate ◽  
Sleep Maintenance ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms

Objective: To preliminarily investigate the clinical features and PSG in abnormal sewda-type depressive insomnia. Methods: A total of 127 abnormal sewda-type depressive insomnia patients were evaluated with overnight PSG, and 32 normal participants were compared. Results: Patients with abnormal sewda-type depressive insomnia were compared with the control group; the sleep symptoms showed a long incubation period of sleep, low sleep maintenance rate, low sleep efficiency and poor sleep quality as well as daytime dysfunction. At process and continuity of sleep: Total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep maintenance rate in abnormal sewda-type depressive insomnia group were shorter than the control group. Wake after sleep onset, and sleep latency were longer than the control group. At sleep structure: N1 ratio and N2 ratio in depressive insomnia group were longer than the control group, N3 ratio and REM sleep ratio shorter than the control group. At REM index: REM latency, REM cycles, and REM sleep time were shorter than the control group. Conclusion: Insomnia symptoms in abnormal sewda-type depression comorbid insomnia patients were similar to the ordinary insomnia patients. The PSG characteristics had significant changes in sleep process, sleep structure and REM indicators. The severity of the abnormal sewda-type depression was closely related to REM indicators. Change of REM sleep characteristics may be the specificity, and these could be taken as reference in diagnosis and identification of abnormal sewda-type depressive insomnia.

Associations between different components of executive control in childhood and sleep problems in early adolescence: A longitudinal study

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 2440-2452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara C Tomaso ◽  
Jennifer Mize Nelson ◽  
Kimberly Andrews Espy ◽  
Timothy D Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Early Adolescence ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Interference Suppression ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
The Impact

Research has examined the impact of poor sleep on executive control and related abilities, but the inverse relationship has received less attention. Youth completed objective executive control tasks in childhood ( N = 208; Mage = 10.03; 50.5% girls) and self-report measures of sleep–wake problems and daytime sleepiness in early adolescence ( Mage = 12.00). Poorer interference suppression and flexible shifting abilities both predicted sleep–wake problems, but response inhibition and working memory did not. For daytime sleepiness, interference suppression was the only significant predictor among executive control components. Socioeconomic status did not moderate any of these associations. Findings have implications for targeting specific executive control abilities in childhood to improve sleep outcomes later in development.

The impact of imagery rehearsal therapy on dream enactment in a patient with REM-sleep behavior disorder: A case study.

Dreaming ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-206
Author(s):  
Christina Pierpaoli-Parker ◽  
Courtney J. Bolstad ◽  
Erica Szkody ◽  
Amy W. Amara ◽  
Michael R. Nadorff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Rem Sleep Behavior Disorder ◽  
Behavior Disorder ◽  
Sleep Behavior ◽  
Imagery Rehearsal Therapy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Imagery Rehearsal

601 Comparison of Sleep Parameters in Children with Achondroplasia and Trisomy 21

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A236-A237
Author(s):  
Jodi Gustave ◽  
Kaelyn Gaza ◽  
Jennifer Marriner ◽  
Seema Rani ◽  
Abigail Strang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Trisomy 21 ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Sleep Latency ◽  
Sleep Efficiency ◽  
Sleep Architecture ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Arousal Index ◽  
Sleep Parameters

Abstract Introduction Children with achondroplasia and Trisomy 21 (T21) have increased incidence of sleep disturbances including sleep disordered breathing. Abnormal sleep architecture has been documented in children with T21. It is important to continue to analyze sleep parameters in both groups since poor sleep quality is associated with neurocognitive impairment. Methods Following IRB approval, we performed a retrospective chart review of patients at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE with achondroplasia and T21 who underwent an initial polysomnogram (PSG) between 2015 and 2020. We compared sleep architecture parameters between the groups including sleep efficiency, total sleep time (TST), sleep latency, arousal index and concentration of N3 and REM sleep. Results In patients with achondroplasia (n=49, mean age 5.8 months and 63.3% male), 12% reported restless sleep. PSG data revealed TST of 392 minutes, mean sleep efficiency of 82%, mean sleep latency of 9.4 min, mean arousal index of 40, 22% REM sleep and 32% N3 sleep. In the patients with T21 (n=32, mean age 17.8 months and 50% male), 59% reported restless sleep. PSG data revealed TST of 393 minutes, mean sleep efficiency of 82%, mean sleep latency of 14 minutes, arousal index of 35, 15% REM sleep and 40% N3 sleep. The differences in REM and N3 sleep between the two groups were statistically significant (p-values of 0.001 and 0.04, respectively), but the differences in arousal index, TST and sleep efficiency were not. Conclusion Our study showed that children with T21 subjectively noted more restless sleep compared to patients with achondroplasia although TST and sleep efficiency were similar. Patients with achondroplasia had a higher arousal index that was not statistically significant. Children with achondroplasia had a shorter sleep latency and more robust REM concentration, likely due to their younger age. There was a higher concentration of N3 sleep in patients with T21. This is likely due to the decrease in REM concentration. In conclusion, it is important to establish expected sleep parameters in patients with achondroplasia and T21 to maximize sleep quality and mitigate negative neurocognitive effects of poor sleep. Support (if any):

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