ScienceDaily: Sleep Disorder Research News

Insomnia may cause dysfunction in emotional brain circuitry

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:12:12 EDT

A new study provides neurobiological evidence for dysfunction in the neural circuitry underlying emotion regulation in people with insomnia, which may have implications for the risk relationship between insomnia and depression.

Asthma symptoms impair sleep quality and school performance in children

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:52:52 EDT

The negative effects of poorly controlled asthma symptoms on sleep quality and academic performance in urban schoolchildren has been confirmed in a new study.

Bed sharing leads to fivefold increase in risk of crib death for babies whose parents do not smoke

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:54:54 EDT

Parents who share a bed with their breastfed baby could face a fivefold increase in the risk of crib death, even if the parents do not smoke, according to a new study.

Less sleep associated with increased risk of crashes for young drivers

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:32:32 EDT

A new study suggests less sleep per night is associated with a significant increase in the risk for motor vehicle crashes for young drivers.

Potential new risk for sleep apnea identified: Asthma

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:56:56 EDT

Researchers have identified a potential new risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea: asthma.

Sleep Apnea linked to Alzheimer's

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:56:56 EDT

A new study looking at sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and markers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging adds to the growing body of research linking the two.

Gene involved in neurodegeneration keeps clock running: Scientists identify another gene important to morning wake-up call

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:26:26 EDT

Scientists have shown a gene involved in neurodegenerative disease also plays a critical role in the proper function of the circadian clock. In a study of the common fruit fly, the researchers found the gene, called Ataxin-2, keeps the clock responsible for sleeping and waking on a 24-hour rhythm. Without the gene, the rhythm of the fruit fly's sleep-wake cycle is disturbed, making waking up on a regular schedule difficult for the fly.

Future hospitalization and increased health service use may be linked to insomnia

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:53:53 EDT

New study finds insomnia may be an important indicator of future hospitalization among middle-aged and older adults.

Restless legs syndrome, insomnia and brain chemistry: A tangled mystery solved?

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:46:46 EDT

Researchers believe they may have discovered an explanation for the sleepless nights associated with restless legs syndrome, a symptom that persists even when the disruptive, overwhelming nocturnal urge to move the legs is treated successfully with medication.

Sleep problems may increase risk for prostate cancer

Tue, 07 May 2013 06:11:11 EDT

Problems falling asleep and staying asleep increased the risk for prostate cancer. The association was stronger for advanced disease. Larger studies with longer follow-up are necessary for confirmation.

Unusual comparison nets new sleep loss marker

Fri, 03 May 2013 23:04:04 EDT

For years, medical researchers have used what they have learned in fruit flies to look for markers of sleep loss in humans. They have now reversed the process in a new article, taking what they find in humans back to the flies and gaining new insight into humans as a result: identification of a human gene that is more active after sleep deprivation.

Anesthesia selection impacts outcomes in patients with sleep apnea undergoing joint replacement

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:47:47 EDT

Using regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia in patients with sleep apnea undergoing total joint replacement decreases major complications by 17 percent, according to a new study.

One bad gene: Mutation that causes rare sleep disorder linked to migraines

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:35:35 EDT

A gene mutation associated with a rare sleep disorder surprisingly also contributes to debilitating migraines, a new discovery that could change the treatment of migraines by allowing development of drugs specifically designed to treat the chronic headaches.

Sharp rise in emergency department visits involving the sleep medication Zolpidem

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:11:11 EDT

A new report shows that the number of emergency department visits involving adverse reactions to the sleep medication zolpidem rose nearly 220 percent from 6,111 visits in 2005 to 19,487 visits in 2010.

What triggers those late-night snack cravings?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:03:03 EDT

The circadian system increases hunger and cravings for sweet, starchy and salty foods in the evenings, according to new research. Eating higher-calorie foods in the evening can be counterproductive if weight loss is a goal since the human body handles nutrients differently depending on the time of day.

Cutting back on sleep harms blood vessel function and breathing control

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:20:20 EDT

Researchers have tested the effects of partial sleep deprivation on blood vessels and breathing control and found that reducing sleep length over two consecutive nights leads to less healthy vascular function and impaired breathing control. The findings could help explain why sleep deprivation is associated with cardiovascular disease.

Reactivating memories during sleep: Memory rehearsal during sleep can make a big difference in remembering later

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:24:24 EDT

Why do some memories last a lifetime while others disappear quickly? A new study suggests that memories rehearsed, during sleep or waking, can have an impact on memory consolidation and on what is remembered later. A new study shows that when the information that makes up a memory has a high value, the memory is more likely to be rehearsed and consolidated during sleep and remembered later.

Sleep apnea patients more likely to report nodding at the wheel and fail driving simulator tests

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:48:48 EDT

People with sleep apnea are more likely to fail a driving simulator test and report nodding whilst driving, according to new research.

Increased sleep could reduce rate of adolescent obesity

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:35:35 EDT

Increasing the number of hours of sleep adolescents get each night may reduce the prevalence of adolescent obesity, according to a new study. Results of the study show that fewer hours of sleep is associated with greater increases in adolescent body mass index for participants between 14 and 18-years-old.

Our internal clocks can become ticking time bombs for diabetes and obesity

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:10:10 EDT

If you're pulling and all-nighter to finish a term paper, a new parent up all night with a fussy baby, or simply can't sleep like you once could, then you may be snoozing on good health.

Children with sleep apnea have higher risk of behavioral, adaptive and learning problems

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:12:12 EDT

A new study found that obstructive sleep apnea, a common form of sleep-disordered breathing, is associated with increased rates of ADHD-like behavioral problems in children as well as other adaptive and learning problems.

Hot flashes? Active days bring better nights

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:35:35 EDT

Getting a good night's sleep isn't always easy for women at menopause. Exercise may help, but women can have a tough time carving out leisure time for it. The good news from a new study is that higher levels of routine daily physical activity may be the more important key to a better night's sleep for many women who have hot flashes or night sweats.

Reducing work hours for medical interns increases patient 'handoff' risks

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:38:38 EDT

Limiting the number of continuous hours worked by medical trainees failed to increase the amount of sleep each intern got per week, but dramatically increased the number of potentially dangerous handoffs of patients from one trainee to another, new research suggests. The reductions in work hours also decreased training time, the researchers found.

Ghanaian pregnant women who sleep on back at increased risk of stillbirth

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:06:06 EDT

Pregnant women in Ghana who slept on their back (supine sleep) were at an increased risk of stillbirth compared to women who did not sleep on their back, according to new research.

Increase in postpartum sleep is still only a dream for new moms

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:48:48 EDT

Sleep tips and supports from specially-trained nurses are valued by new parents but do not help increase postpartum sleep for first-time moms or their babies.

Acting out dreams linked to development of dementia

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:48:48 EDT

The strongest predictor of whether a man is developing dementia with Lewy bodies — the second most common form of dementia in the elderly — is whether he acts out his dreams while sleeping, researchers have discovered.

Short and poor sleepers have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:51:51 EDT

People who sleep poorly or not long enough have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This does not apply to people who sleep less than 6 hours, but wake up feeling fit and rested.

Caffeine 'can significantly protect against crash risk' for long distance heavy vehicle drivers

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:23:23 EDT

Long distance commercial drivers who consume caffeinated substances such as coffee or energy drinks, to stay awake while driving, are significantly less likely to crash than those who do not, even though they drive longer distances and sleep less, finds a new study.

Sleep study reveals how the adolescent brain makes the transition to mature thinking

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:27:27 EDT

A new study conducted by monitoring the brain waves of sleeping adolescents has found that remarkable changes occur in the brain as it prunes away neuronal connections and makes the major transition from childhood to adulthood.

Sleep loss precedes Alzheimer's symptoms

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:33:33 EDT

Sleep is disrupted in people who likely have early Alzheimer’s disease but do not yet have the memory loss or other problems characteristic of full-blown disease, researchers report.

Sleep discovery could lead to therapies that improve memory

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:33:33 EDT

A team of sleep researchers has confirmed the mechanism that enables the brain to consolidate memory and found that a commonly prescribed sleep aid enhances the process.

Less sleep leads to more eating and more weight gain, according to new study

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:11:11 EDT

Sleeping just five hours a night over a workweek and having unlimited access to food caused participants in a new study to gain nearly two pounds of weight.

Combination therapy of CPAP and weight loss for obstructive sleep apnea is effective for lowering blood pressure in obese patients

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:07:07 EDT

New research has shown that the combination of CPAP and weight loss for patients with OSA can help lower blood pressure better than either therapy alone.

Is this peptide a key to happiness? Findings suggests possible new treatment for depression, other disorders

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:57:57 EST

For the first time in humans, scientists have measured the release of a specific peptide, that greatly increased when subjects were happy, but decreased when they were sad. The findings have implications for the treatment of depression.

Molecular key to exhaustion following sleep deprivation

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:29:29 EST

Scientists have identified one of the molecular players in this process has been identified – at least in nematode round worms. Scientists report that even in Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny nematode worm that feeds on bacteria, loss of sleep is “stressful.”

Insomnia is linked to increased risk of heart failure

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:03:03 EST

People who suffer from insomnia appear to have an increased risk of developing heart failure, according to the largest study to investigate the link.

Potential target to better treat, cure anxiety disorders

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:46:46 EST

Researchers have, for the first time, identified a specific group of cells in the brainstem whose activation during rapid eye movement sleep is critical for the regulation of emotional memory processing.

Exercise key to good sleep

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:35:35 EST

Exercise can affect your sleep. The results of the National Sleep Foundation's 2013 Sleep in America® poll show a compelling association between exercise and better sleep.

What predicts distress after episodes of sleep paralysis?

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:35:35 EST

Ever find yourself briefly paralyzed as you're falling asleep or just waking up? It's a phenomenon called sleep paralysis, and it's often accompanied by vivid sensory or perceptual experiences, including complex and disturbing hallucinations and intense fear. For some, sleep paralysis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; for others, it can be a nightly phenomenon.

Adult sleepwalking is serious condition that impacts health-related quality of life

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:58:58 EST

A new study found that adult sleepwalking is a potentially serious condition that may induce violent behaviors and affect health-related quality of life.

Sleep reinforces learning: Children’s brains transform subconsciously learned material into active knowledge

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:11:11 EST

During sleep, our brains store what we have learned during the day -- a process even more effective in children than in adults, new research shows.

Lack of sleep? Keep away from the buffet

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:47:47 EST

New research shows that sleep-deprived people select greater portion sizes of energy-dense snacks and meals than they do after one night of normal sleep. Poor sleep habits can therefore affect people’s risk of becoming overweight in the long run.

Paving the way for better sleep in Alzheimer's

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:25:25 EST

A new sleep pattern monitoring system has been developed by UK researchers to help spot sleep disturbance in people diagnosed with early dementia. The system, known as PAViS, could be used remotely by healthcare workers to view sleep profiles and analyze sleep patterns based on sensory data gathered at the patient's home.

Losing hope of a good night's sleep is risk factor for suicide

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 08:53:53 EST

When people lose hope that they will ever get another good night's sleep, they become at high risk for suicide, researchers report.

Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiac symptoms have 31 percent incidence of cardiac dysfunction

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:22:22 EST

Women with obstructive sleep apnea and cardiac symptoms have a 31 percent incidence of cardiac dysfunction.

Frequently prescribed drug used in concerning ways with harmful side effects

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:16:16 EST

A popular class of drugs commonly used to treat sleep and mood symptoms continues to be frequently prescribed despite being known to have potentially life-threatening side effects.

Eat to dream: Study shows dietary nutrients associated with certain sleep patterns

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:35:35 EST

A new study shows for the first time that certain nutrients may play an underlying role in short and long sleep duration and that people who report eating a large variety of foods -- an indicator of an overall healthy diet -- had the healthiest sleep patterns.

Active duty military personnel prone to sleep disorders and short sleep duration

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:44:44 EST

A new study found a high prevalence of sleep disorders and a startlingly high rate of short sleep duration among active duty military personnel. The study suggests the need for a cultural change toward appropriate sleep practices throughout the military.

Poor sleep in old age prevents the brain from storing memories

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:42:42 EST

The connection between poor sleep, memory loss and brain deterioration as we grow older has been elusive. But for the first time, scientists have found a link between these hallmark maladies of old age. Their discovery opens the door to boosting the quality of sleep in elderly people to improve memory.

Don’t ignore the snore: Snoring may be early sign of future health risks

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:27:27 EST

Snoring may be more than a common bedtime nuisance, say researchers. According to their new study, snoring, even without sleep apnea, causes thickening and abnormalities the carotid artery - a potential precursor to atherosclerosis.

Astrocytes identified as target for new depression therapy: Starry brain cells used to mimic sleep deprivation

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:37:37 EST

Neuroscientists have found that our star-shaped brain cells may be responsible for the rapid improvement in mood in depressed patients after acute sleep deprivation. The researchers report that the findings may help lead to the development of effective and fast-acting drugs to treat depression, particularly in psychiatric emergencies.

'Jet-lagged' fruit flies provide clues for body clock synchronization

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:31:31 EST

New research has found evidence of how daily changes in temperature affect the fruit fly's internal clock.

Simulated mission to Mars reveals critical data about sleep needs for astronauts

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:14:14 EST

In the first study of its kind, researchers have analyzed data on the impact of prolonged operational confinement on sleep, performance, and mood in astronauts from a simulated 520-day space mission to Mars. The findings revealed alterations of life-sustaining sleep patterns and neurobehavioral consequences for crew members that must be addressed for successful human interplanetary spaceflight.

Let crying babes lie: Study supports notion of leaving infants to cry themselves back to sleep

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:18:18 EST

Waking up in the middle of the night is the most common concern that parents of infants report to pediatricians. Now, a new study finds that a majority of infants are best left to self-soothe and fall back to sleep on their own.

Sleep apnea may offer unusual protection for heart attack patients

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:11:11 EST

Researchers at the Technion have found that heart attack patients with breathing disorders such as sleep apnea may benefit from mild-moderate sleep-disordered breathing. The findings could suggest ways to rebuild damaged heart tissue.

Treating sleep-disordered breathing in pregnancy may improve fetal health

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:04:04 EST

A new study suggests that treatment of mild sleep-disordered breathing with continuous positive airway pressure therapy in pregnant women with preeclampsia improves fetal activity levels, a marker of fetal well-being.

If baby's crawling, you'll probably be up more at night, study reveals

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:45:45 EST

Infants who have started crawling wake up more often at night compared to the period before the crawling, reveals a new study.

Impaired melatonin secretion may play a role in premenstrual syndrome

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:41:41 EST

Researchers shows altered body rhythms of the hormone melatonin in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) women with insomnia. This finding may help explain some of the sleep disruptions experienced by women with PMDD, also known as premenstrual syndrome.

Sleeping pills owe half their benefits to placebo effect, study finds

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:12:12 EST

Half of the benefit of taking sleeping pills comes from the placebo effect, according to a major new study.

Significant link found between daytime sleepiness and vitamin D

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:09:09 EST

A new study suggests that there is a significant correlation between excessive daytime sleepiness and vitamin D, and race plays an important factor.