bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
0148 Serotonergic Dorsal Raphe Neurons Regulate Hypercapnia Induced Arousal Through 5HT2A Receptors on the Parabrachial Neurons
Authors: Kaur S , Thomas R C , Saper C B
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Serotoninergic dorsal raphe neurons (DRSert) are CO2 responsive, and mice lacking serotonin have impaired arousal to CO2. We showed that the neurons in external lateral parabrachial nucleus containing calcitonin gene related peptide (PBelCGRP), are required for CO2-arousal. PBelCGRP neurons also receive serotoninergic innervation from the DRSert. 5HT2A agonist restores CO2 responsiveness in mice lacking serotonin, suggesting that DRSert may modulate CO2 arousal by acting on 5HT2A receptors possibly on the PBel neurons.

Methods

We used serotonin transporter (Sert)-Cre mice to optogenetically inhibit DRSert neurons and their terminals in the PBel. We injected AAV-FLEX-ArchT into the DR and implanted an optical fiber just above it in one set of Sert-Cre mice and bilaterally in the PBel in another set. All mice were instrumented for sleep and optogenetics and were tested for EEG arousals to 10% CO2. Latencies of arousal were compared with optogenetic inhibition of either the DR neurons or their terminals in the PBel with a 593nm laser light. We further tested whether a 5HT2A agonist (TCB-2) can reverse blockade of CO2 arousal in mice where DRSert terminals in PBel were inhibited. Finally, TCB-2 was injected in mice with PBelCGRP deletions and arousal latency to CO2 was compared.

Results

Compared to the control (Laser-OFF) condition, arousal latency to CO2 was significantly increased by photoinhibition of either the DRSert neurons (n=6; latency- 40.9 ± 6.4 vs. 13.81± 0.69 sec; F3, 17= 11.5; P< 0.001) or their terminals in PBel (n=8; latency-34.9 ± 2.3 sec vs. 16.62 ± 0.97sec, F1, 14= 56.9; P< 0.001). This was reversed by the 5HT2A agonist TCB-2 (5mg/kg), as it reduced the latency to CO2 arousal in mice with photoinhibition of terminals in PBel from 35.48 ± 7.31 sec to 16.24 ± 1.06 sec (F3, 9= 8.05; P= 0.006), but had no effect in mice with PBelCGRP neurons deletions.

Conclusion

The serotonin system modulate CO2-arousals by the DRSert input to the PBel. TCB-2 reversed the effect of inhibition of DRSert terminals in the PBel, but not in mice with PBelCGRP deletions, suggests that DRSert modulate PBelCGRP neurons through 5HT2a receptors.

Support

NIH- 2P01 HL095491 and NS112175
0162 Mental Stress Compromises Human Sleep Through a Biological, Not Psychological, Pathway
Authors: Brindle R C , Ahmad M , Evans K , Hatfield A , Holthouser S
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The extent to which mental stress causes sleep disturbance is unknown as experimental studies of stress and sleep have yielded mixed results. Potential mechanisms linking stress to poor sleep are also poorly characterized. The current study aimed to 1) assess the impact of experimentally-induced mental stress on daytime sleep and 2) test candidate mechanisms including physiological and emotional stress reactivity, stress rumination, attentional threat bias, and insensitivity to future consequences.

Methods

Participants (N=30) were randomized to a control (n=14) or stress group (n=16). Both groups were given a 60-minute nap opportunity at midday (≈13:30). Prior to sleep, participants in the stress group completed a socially evaluative mental arithmetic stress task and were instructed that they would be required to give a brief speech upon awakening. Sleep was monitored with polysomnography and scored according to standard AASM criteria. Measures of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and self-reported stress were recorded during the stress task. Self-reported stress rumination was measured upon awakening. Attentional threat bias was measured using an emotional dot probe and performance on the Iowa Gambling Task quantified insensitivity to future consequences.

Results

Acute mental stress significantly increased HR and BP (all p<.001, all Cohen’s d>1.24) and participants reported significant increases in self-reported stress (p<.001). The stress group exhibited longer sleep latency (p=.038, d=.82), shorter sleep duration (p=.044, d=.78), and worse sleep continuity (p=.045, d=.79). Subjective sleep quality was not different across groups (p=.39, d=.32). Of all candidate mechanisms, physiological reactivity was the only one significantly related to sleep measures. Greater HR reactivity predicted longer sleep latency (r=.37), shorter sleep duration (r=-.59), and worse sleep continuity (r=-.59).

Conclusion

Acute mental stress caused significant disturbances in a single episode of daytime sleep. The degree of disturbance was, to an extent, predicted by the amount of physiological reactivity to stress.

Support

This work was supported a Washington and Lee University Summer Lenfest Grant and the Summer Research Scholars Program.
0172 Blue-Light Blockers and Sleep: A Meta-Analysis of Intervention Studies
Authors: Shechter A , Quispe K A , Mizhquiri Barbecho J S , Falzon L
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Sleep and circadian physiology are influenced by external light, particularly within the short-wavelength portion of the visible spectrum (~450–480 nm). Most personal light-emitting electronic devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones, computers) are enriched in this so-called “blue” light. Interventions to reduce short-wavelength light exposure to the eyes before bedtime may help mitigate adverse effects of light-emitting electronic devices on sleep.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis of intervention studies on the effects of wearing color-tinted lenses (e.g., orange or amber) in frames in the evening before sleep to selectively filter short-wavelength light exposure to the eyes. Outcomes were self-reported or objective (wrist-accelerometer) measures of nocturnal sleep. Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AMED) were searched from inception to November 2019. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42018105854.

Results

Ten studies were identified (7 randomized controlled trials; 3 before-after studies). Findings of individual studies were inconsistent, with some showing benefit and others showing no effect of intervention. For objective sleep onset latency, there was a significant modest-sized combined effect (Hedge’s g=-0.52, 95% CI: -1.27-0.24, Z=-2.94, p=0.003, I2=16.6%, k=3). There was a minor but non-statistically significant combined effect for objective sleep efficiency (Hedge’s g=0.24, 95% CI: -0.16–0.64, Z=1.69, p=0.09, I2=23.7%, k=5). There were no significant combined effects for objective measures of total sleep time and wake after sleep onset. For self-reported total sleep time, there was a statistically significant medium-sized combined effect (Hedge’s g=0.61, 95% CI: 0.14–1.09, Z=5.56, p<0.01, I2=0%, k=3).

Conclusion

There is mixed evidence that this approach can improve sleep. Relatively few studies have been conducted, and most did not assess light levels or melatonin. The “blue-blocker” intervention may be particularly useful in individuals with insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, or attention-deficit hyperactive disorder. Considering the ubiquitousness of short wavelength-enriched light sources and the potential for widespread sleep disturbance, future controlled studies examining the efficacy of this approach to improve sleep are warranted.

Support

N/A
0179 Poor Sleep Quality Increases Odds of On-Duty Injuries in Policing
Authors: Riedy S M , Fekedulegn D , Vila B , Andrew M , Violanti J
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Shiftwork is inevitable in law enforcement. Officers are scheduled around-the-clock to protect and serve communities. Many police departments are also understaffed; consequentially, officers’ work schedules often include long work hours. Shift work and long work hours can result in sleep loss, poor sleep quality, and fatigue. In turn, these factors can impair police officers’ operational performance. We investigated whether sleep loss and poor sleep quality increase odds of on-duty injuries or disciplinary actions in policing.

Methods

Officers (n=113) that started their careers as police officers at the Buffalo Police Department between 1994–2001 were studied. Work and injury data were obtained for each officer starting with their hire date and continuing day-by-day for 15-years. Between 2004–2009, officers reported any disciplinary actions in the prior two years and their sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Survey Screen for Apnea. Data were analyzed using logistic regression with logit link functions (PROC GLIMMIX, SAS 9.4). Covariates included sex, ethnicity, experience, shift type, workload, and secondary employment.

Results

Seventy-four percent of officers had poor sleep quality (PSQI global score ≥ 5). Officers with poorer sleep quality had greater odds of injury (OR=1.3 [95% CI: 1.0–1.5], p=0.03). Officers’ sleep duration was not a significant predictor of injuries (OR=1.0 [95% CI: 0.3–3.2], p=0.96). Officers with sleep disturbances (OR=3.5 [95% CI: 1.0–11.8], p<0.05) and/or using sleep medications (OR=15.7 [95% CI: 2.8–89.3], p<0.01) had higher odds of injury. None of the variables were significant predictors of disciplinary actions.

Conclusion

Poor sleep quality was prevalent among the officers. The natures of the injuries were likely multi-factorial and complex. Notwithstanding, poor sleep quality was associated with higher odds of on-duty injuries. The source of officers’ sleep disturbances (e.g. shift work, insomnia, and/or policing-related stresses) remains to be determined.

Support

CDC/NIOSH grant 1R01OH009640-01A1; NIJ grant 2005-FS-BX-0004
0195 Social Determinants of Sleep: Inside Relationships with Significant Others
Authors: Mousavi Z , Tran M , Kuhlman K R
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Social relationships impact health through different mechanisms. Sleep problems are prevalent among adults in the USA, negatively impacting all-cause mortality, and increasing the risk for chronic diseases such as depression, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This study aimed to assess whether the quality of an individual’s relationship with their significant other including support and strain, subjective relationship quality, joint decision making, marital risk, and conflict are associated with clinical, subjective, and objective measures of sleep.

Methods

Participants were selected from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study if they had complete data on subjective sleep quality from the MIDUS II biomarker project and shared a bed with their partner (n=751, 49.5% female, Mage=53.4, SDage=11.2, range= 34–83). Subjective sleep quality was measured using the PSQI. A subset of these participants (n=246, 50.8% female) also completed 7-days of daily diary and actigraphy.

Results

Sleep disturbances were pervasive; 44.1% (n=331) of participants reported clinically meaningful sleep disturbances (PSQI>=5). Among the smaller sample of participants with 7-day sleep data, sleep disturbances were even more prevalent (60.9%). There were significant bivariate associations between higher support and lower strain with better subjectively and objectively sleep outcomes. Better subjective relationship quality was also associated with better subjectively measured sleep outcomes. Higher marital risk and more disagreement with partner were associated with poorer sleep. When accounting for all marital relationship factors, participants with higher support and lower strain given to partner had a better long-term sleep quality, b= 1.93, SE= .54, p<.001. Relationship quality was also associated with better daily sleep quality and daily reports of feeling rested, b = -.12, SE= .05, p=.023, and b= .11, SE = .048, p=.023, respectively. These relationships remained significant after accounting for age, current employment status, recent major health events, average daily caffeine, alcohol, exercise, and napping.

Conclusion

These findings support the importance of considering social determinants of sleep, suggesting that relationships with significant others may impact health through sleep quality. This highlights the importance of sleep as a transdiagnostic physiological mechanism that could be enhanced through improvements to relationships with significant others.

Support

N/A
0201 Medical Malpractice Payments Following Mild Sleep Loss and the Daylight Saving Time Shift
Authors: Lage C , Gao C , Scullin M K
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The national cost of the medical liability system exceeds $10 billion/year, but not all medical errors result in a malpractice claim or payment. Malpractice claims are more likely if the medical error is perceived as severe, if the physician is perceived as lacking empathy, and if negative emotional reactions are triggered in the patient (due to individual or contextual factors). In recent experimental work, participants who were mildly sleep restricted showed an increased propensity to want to punish physicians for medical errors and compensate patients the maximum allowed. Building upon this laboratory work, we evaluated 30 years of medical malpractice claims to determine whether the judgment of final compensation increased after the Spring daylight saving time (DST) shift.

Methods

We obtained medical malpractice payment data on 373,643 United States cases from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). We contrasted inflation-adjusted payments across states that have DST shifts relative to non-DST control states (e.g., Arizona, Hawaii). We compared post-Spring DST payments to payments during the two weeks before/after the DST, and averaged payments for the remainder of the year.

Results

The total number of claims was unrelated to Spring DST, however, the size of malpractice payments significantly increased the week following the spring DST shift relative to non-DST control states and relative to the averaged payments for the remainder of the year. Spring DST was associated with an inflation-adjusted relative increase in malpractice payments by $7,836 to $61,809 per case (depending on comparison). Malpractice payments did not change in relation to the Fall DST shift.

Conclusion

Mild sleep restriction alters the cognitive and emotional regulation processes that underpin perceptions of medical error severity, willingness to punish, and judgments of appropriate compensation for medical errors.

Support

N/A
0207 The Effect of Naps on Inhibitory Control and Sustained Attention in Early Childhood
Authors: Andre C J , Mendelevich E , Santiago A , Spencer R M
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Sleep in adults and school-age children has been shown to improve regulatory behaviors. Specifically, slow wave sleep (SWS) disruptions have been positively associated with decreased levels of sustained attention and inhibitory control in adults, while REM sleep has been associated with inhibitory control in typically developing children. However, it is unknown whether midday naps confer a similar benefit in preschool-aged children, particularly since REM sleep is often lacking in their naps. In this study, we used a Go/No-Go task to determine whether SWS during early childhood naps benefits sustained attention and inhibitory control. We also explored nap habituality as a factor given that habitual and non-habitual nappers have different sleep architecture in adults and children.

Methods

Preschool children (N=22, 38–69 months) completed a Go/No-Go task, after which they either napped with polysomnography (nap condition) or stayed awake (wake condition) for an equivalent amount of time (within subject; order counterbalanced; ~1 week apart). After their nap and wake sessions, they completed the Go/No-Go task again.

Results

When controlling for nap frequency, participant performance (accuracy) post-session did not differ across conditions. However, by examining only the habitual nappers (5–7 days/week, N=9), we found a moderate positive correlation between percent of sleep spent in SWS and post-nap accuracy (r=0.335, p=0.037). Interestingly, we did not see the same relationship with non-habitual nappers (0–4 days/week, N=13) and found a weak negative correlation with SWS (r=0.007, p=0.031).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that habitually napping children show a benefit of nap SWS on regulatory behaviors while non-habitual nappers do not. Such results have important translational significance for early education settings.

Support

NIH R01 HL111695.
0208 The Effect of Mastication on Psychomotor Vigilance Performance
Authors: Hansen D A , Hudson A N , Lawrence-Sidebottom D , Maislin G , Miquel S
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Sustained attention is important for optimal neurobehavioral performance, but many biological and environment factors (e.g., circadian rhythm, distraction) may cause sustained attention deficits. Mastication (chewing) has been suggested to provide a countermeasure to sustained attention deficits. To investigate this, we conducted a randomized, within-subjects, cross-over study of sustained attention with a mastication condition and a control condition.

Methods

N=58 adults (ages 18–45; 38 females) completed a 5h in-laboratory study. Subjects entered the laboratory at 09:00. Following training on performance tasks, they had a 1h break before beginning the first of two test bouts at 11:00. Each test bout was 40min long and included subjective rating scales, the Sustained Attention to Response Task, and the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT). Here we focus on PVT lapses of attention (RT > 500 ms), false starts, and mean reaction time (RT) as measures of sustained attention. In between test bouts, subjects had a 1h break inside the laboratory. During one of the two test bouts, subjects were instructed to chew a piece of gum at a steady, comfortable rate. Mastication activity was verified via electromyography (EMG). Half of the sample was assigned to the mastication condition during the first test bout, the other half during the second test bout.

Results

Controlling for order of conditions, there were no significant differences between conditions for PVT lapses (F1,56=0.40, P=0.54) or false starts (F1,56=0.10, P=0.80). Mean RT was higher in the mastication condition by 8.9±2.5ms (F1,56 =12.68, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Using this test paradigm, we were unable to detect any significant improvement in PVT performance, although mastication resulted in a very small increase in mean RT. However, subjects were not sleep-deprived, distracted, or otherwise perturbed. A follow-up study under conditions of sleep deprivation and/or with longer task duration may provide further insight into the countermeasure potential of mastication.

Support

Mars Wrigley Confectionery, U.S., LLC
0211 Sleep-Preparatory Behaviors Modulate Sleep Physiology in Mice
Authors: Tyan J L , Sotelo M I , Markunas C M , Morrow J G , Eban-Rothschild A
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Prior to sleep, animals perform various sleep-preparatory behaviors, yet little is known about their contribution to sleep physiology. Sleep hygiene, which involves proper sleep preparation, is an effective treatment for insomnia in humans. The high prevalence of sleep disorders and drawbacks of available pharmacological interventions necessitate a better understanding of the ecological and evolutionary contexts of sleep. Nest-building is a sleep-preparatory behavior performed by many species. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the presence of a nest modulates sleep. Specifically, we investigated the effects of a nest on sleep/wake architecture and activity in wake-promoting neurons in mice.

Methods

To examine the role of nesting in sleep/wake architecture, we recorded EEG/EMG activity over 24 hrs (n=14, 7 males and 7 females) in the presence/absence of a nest. To determine whether the lack of a nest activates wake-promoting neurons, we utilized TRAP (targeted recombination in active populations) technology to label neurons activated by nest removal (n=4 mice per experimental group).

Results

Mice without nests exhibited increased latencies to NREM and REM sleep and spent less time asleep during the inactive/light phase. Mice without nests also exhibited shorter episodes of NREM and REM sleep and more transitions between arousal states. Additionally, our preliminary results suggest that nest removal significantly increases population activity in multiple brain regions, including several cortical and thalamic regions.

Conclusion

Our findings support the hypothesis that the presence of a nest facilitates and consolidates sleep. The causal role of specific neuronal populations in sleep fragmentation in the absence of a nest remains to be elucidated. Taken together, our findings provide the first evidence for a role of sleep-preparatory behaviors in the facilitation and consolidation of sleep and could shape the development of novel treatments for sleep disorders.

Support

This work is supported by the Sloan Alfred P. Foundation, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, and the Eisenberg Translational Research Award.
0212 Questionnaire Assessment of Intraindividual Variability in Sleep: Inconsistent Sleep Can Be Worse Than Short Average Sleep
Authors: Gao C , Luster T , Bermudez V , Porro A , Scullin M K
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The consequences of short sleep are well-documented, but recent evidence indicates that night-to-night consistency in sleep may be just as important. For the current work, we developed an intraindividual variability in sleep (IIV) questionnaire to make IIV measurement possible in single-time-point studies. We investigated whether self-reported IIV explained unique variance in sleep quality and health beyond average total sleep time (TST), focusing on a critical transition period (first semester of college) in which high variability was predicted.

Methods

First-semester college students (N=126, Mage=18.28, 75.40% females) completed an IIV questionnaire in which participants indicated their average sleep duration, then estimated how much their sleep duration deviated from their average duration for each day of a typical week. We quantified IIV as the mean day-to-day change in sleep. Participants also completed standard questionnaires on global sleep quality, social jetlag, daytime sleepiness, depression, and stress.

Results

Participants reported substantial IIV in their sleep durations (M=1.77 hours, SD=0.86) that was largely distinguishable from measures of social jetlag (r=.25) and average TST (r=-.18). Patterns of IIV differed across race/ethnicities: in white/Asian students, IIV was strongly associated with social jetlag (r=-.44) whereas in underrepresented minority students, IIV and social jetlag were separate constructs (r=-.03), suggesting that fluctuations in the latter group occur across all days of the week. Greater IIV was associated with significantly worse global sleep quality (r=.24, p=.01), stress (r=.20, p=.03), and depression, r=.20, p=.03). These associations were significant after adjusting for average TST, and only marginally reduced when controlling for social jetlag.

Conclusion

IIV in sleep/wake patterns can be captured using a questionnaire, and such measurement provides unique explanatory power to understanding sleep quality and mental health. Future research is needed to compare IIV questionnaire data to actigraphy data and to understand the underlying mechanisms by which inconsistent sleep detrimentally affects individuals.

Support

National Science Foundation (NSF 1920730)
0215 Sleep Duration Associated with Degraded Performance in Marksmanship and Weapon Stability During a 72-Hour Mission Training Exercise
Authors: Brown S A , Burke T M
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Military operations require vigilance and performance under stressful conditions while functioning with little to no sleep. Previous links between marksmanship performance and sleep restrictions have been shown primarily in novice Soldier populations, with significant decrements in reaction time and decision making skills rather than lethality, mobility, or weapon handling metrics. Additionally, previous research has focused on isolated static marksmanship tasks in laboratory settings. The research presented here assessed the relationship between changes in Soldier sleep duration as measured by actigraphy, and marksmanship performance when conducting a 72-hour military field training exercise.

Methods

Forty-six volunteers [42 males (age 24.5±4.2y; mean±SD)] across three platoons participated in this assessment of Soldier performance during a company-wide mission exercise. Sleep characteristics were collected via actigraphy throughout the mission. Marksmanship performance was assessed during pre-, mid-, and post-mission, utilizing an operationally relevant course that integrated a static self-paced shooting task with a dynamic, fast-paced multiple target task. Marksmanship was assessed in areas of lethality (e.g. accuracy, shot dispersion), mobility (e.g. acquisition, engagement times), and weapon handling stability (e.g. movement of barrel during aiming).

Results

Analysis utilized a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with platoon as the independent variable and total sleep time over the previous 24-hours as the covariant, during the mid-session assessment. The results indicated that prior sleep does significantly modulate marksmanship performance in areas of lethality and stability (ps<.05), but not mobility. Although all individuals received fewer hours of sleep than typical during the mission, those who received less sleep had greater inaccuracy and dispersion in their shot groups, and more barrel movement during weapon handling.

Conclusion

Marksmanship is a key military skill required of all Soldiers. This study has linked degradations in marksmanship lethality and stability performance in the field to naturally occurring sleep restrictions due to platoon-group variances during mission activities. Additionally, it is the first study to link weapon handling stability degradations to sleep loss. Further analysis will explore performance degradations associated with aspects of sleep quality, as well as individual platoon differences, such as leadership, qualifications, and resiliency.

Support

CCDC Soldier Center and Military Operational Medicine Research Program.
0216 Is There a Daily Rhythm in Alcohol Craving and Does It Vary by Circadian Timing?
Authors: Hisler G , Pedersen S , Clark D , Rothenberger S , Hasler B
Published: May 2020

Introduction

People with later circadian timing tend to consume more alcohol, potentially due to altered rhythms in when and how much they crave alcohol throughout the day. However, whether circadian factors play a role in alcohol craving has received scant attention. Here, we investigated if the daily rhythm of alcohol craving varied by circadian timing in two independent studies of late adolescent and young adult drinkers.

Methods

In Study 1, 32 participants (18–22 years of age; 61% female; 69% White) completed momentary reports of alcohol craving five times a day for 14 days. Participants wore wrist actigraphs and completed two in-lab assessments of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). Average actigraphically-assessed midpoint of sleep on weekends and average DLMO were used as indicators of circadian timing. In Study 2, 231 participants (21–35 years of age; 28% female; 71% White) completed momentary reports of alcohol craving six times a day for 10 days. Average midpoint of self-reported time-in-bed on weekends was used to estimate circadian timing.

Results

Multilevel cosinor analysis revealed a 24-hour daily rhythm in alcohol craving which was moderated by circadian timing in both studies (p’s<0.05). In both Study 1 and 2, people with later circadian timing had a later timed peak of craving. In Study 1, but not Study 2, later circadian timing predicted a blunted amplitude in craving.

Conclusion

Findings support a daily rhythm in craving that varies by individual differences in circadian timing. Because craving is an important predictor of future alcohol use, the findings implicate circadian factors as a useful area to advance alcohol research and potentially improve interventions.

Support

R21AA023209; R01DA044143; K01AA021135; ABMRF/The Foundation for Alcohol Research.
0220 Sleep Deprivation Increases Self-Reported But Not Behavioral Avoidance
Authors: Campbell R L , Lindsay E , Vance A , Nguyen A , Feldner M , Leen-Feldner E
Published: May 2020

Introduction

A common form of emotion regulation is avoidance, in which attention toward negative stimuli results in avoiding (Elliot, 2006). Dysfunctional avoidance is linked to negative outcomes in various forms of psychopathology (Kashdan, Barrios, Forsyth, & Steger, 2006). Sleep challenges have been identified as a mechanism in numerous mental health disorders (Kryger, Roth, & Dement, 2017). These two mechanisms may be related. We hypothesized sleep deprived individuals would demonstrate more avoidance compared to baseline and a sleep as usual group as indexed by lower scores on a behavioral approach task (BAT) and more self-reported avoidance.

Methods

Fifty-two undergraduates (mean age: 18.87, white: 45, female: 35) without mental health disorders, sleep apnea symptoms, or use of medications that may impact sleep or wakefulness were recruited. Participants completed a Cognitive-Behavioral Avoidance Scale (CBAS modified) in which all questions were modified to elucidate present moment avoidance (ex. I would avoid attending social activities) and a BAT in which they were presented with a bedpan made to look and smell dirty. They were asked to complete seven hierarchical levels of engagement ex. (1) touching it with a tissue, (7) touching it with both hands then touching your face. The task ended when a participant declined to complete a step or they completed all seven. They were randomly assigned to 26 hours of sleep deprivation or sleep as usual. Students completed the CBAS modified and the BAT the next morning.

Results

After conducting a mixed ANOVA, there were no significant differences between or within groups in BAT steps completed. There were significant increases in self-reported behavioral social (p < .001) and nonsocial (p < .001), and cognitive nonsocial (p = .006), and social (p = .031) avoidance in the sleep deprivation group.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated a discrepancy between behavioral and self-report avoidance, suggesting a response bias after sleep loss. This investigation illuminates the effects of sleep loss on the transdiagnostic mechanism, avoidance. Note, there are no psychometric data for the modified CBAS. Future work should examine social forms of behavioral avoidance.

Support

This study was conducted using the University of Arkansas SONA system.
0222 The Association of Habitual Physical Activity with 24-Hour Sleep Outcomes in Preschoolers
Authors: St Laurent C W , Spencer R
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Sedentary behavior, physical activity (PA), and sleep are health behaviors that contribute significantly to overall and early childhood health. Although interactive relationships of these behaviors have been reported in adults and school-aged children, there is limited evidence that PA is associated with sleep using objective measures in younger children and findings have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to determine if objectively measured PA and sleep behavior outcomes are associated in preschoolers.

Methods

Participants (n=77, age: 4.34±177;0.91 years; 55.8% female) were included in this cross-sectional study. Actiwatch Spectrum monitors (wrist-worn, triaxial accelerometers) were worn 24-hours for 16-days to measure PA (total PA counts, sedentary time [ST], light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]) and sleep (24-hour, nighttime, and nap sleep duration, bedtime, wake after sleep onset [WASO], and sleep efficiency).

Results

Multiple linear regression models adjusted for age and wear time during wake periods indicated that greater MVPA was associated with less nighttime sleep duration (β=-3.48, p<0.001), less total 24-hour sleep duration (β=-3.38, p<0.001), and a later bedtime (β=0.07, p<0.001). Total PA counts were associated with less nighttime sleep duration (β=-0.0002, p=0.001), less total 24-hour sleep duration (β=-0.0002, p=0.001), and a later bedtime (β=4.83, p=0.001). Greater ST was associated with greater total 24-hour sleep duration (β=1.92, p=0.006) and an earlier bedtime (β=-0.36, p=0.02). Percent time spent in light PA was not associated with any sleep outcomes and no PA variables were associated with nap sleep duration, WASO, or sleep efficiency.

Conclusion

As these findings are in contrast to previous studies reporting null or beneficial associations, further analyses are warranted to examine potential mediators/effect modifiers (e.g., sleep timing, gender, body mass index, and socioeconomic status) and temporal relationships between these movement behaviors in young children.

Support

NIH R01 HL111695
0224 Optogenetic Manipulation of Basal Forebrain Parvalbumin Neurons Modulates Vigilant Attention and Rescues Sleep Deprivation Induced Impairments
Authors: Schiffino F L , McNally J M , Hassler A N , Brown R E , Strecker R E
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Sleep disruption leads to attention impairments, excessive daytime sleepiness, and is a major contributor to accident rates and decreased workplace productivity. The basal forebrain (BF) region has long been associated with promoting cortical arousal and wakefulness. Recently, selective excitation of BF parvalbumin (PV) GABAergic neurons has been shown to produce high frequency cortical activation and brief periods of wakefulness. Here we test the hypothesis that BF PV neurons are involved in vigilant attention using bidirectional optogenetic manipulations in a signaled reaction time task.

Methods

Brief optogenetic excitation (ChR2) and inhibition (ArchT) of BF PV neurons was applied during a lever release version of the rodent psychomotor vigilance task (rPVT). Mice were trained to hold a lever down to initiate a trial and after a random delay, a 200ms cue light signaled the mouse to quickly release the lever within 1s to receive a sucrose pellet reward. The reaction time between cue light onset and lever release was the primary measure of attentional performance. Sleep deprivation (8h) produced by gentle handling was also investigated. Laser parameters: brief (1s) of continuous (non-pulsatile) laser stimulation was delivered beginning 500ms prior to cue light onset (5mW 473nm blue light for ChR2-mediated excitation; 10mW 530nm green light for ArchT-mediated inhibition).

Results

BF PV excitation led to faster reactions times (N=6, 14% faster, p<.001), interpreted as an enhancement of attention. Sleep deprivation slowed reaction times (20% slower, p<.01) and BF PV excitation rescued the sleep deprivation induced impairments. BF PV inhibition significantly slowed reaction times (25% slower, p<.02), an effect that resembled the effects of sleep deprivation.

Conclusion

This is the first demonstration of a role for BF PV neurons in attention and in the attention deficits produced by sleep deprivation.

Support

T32 HL007901, I01 BX002774, P01 HL095491, R01 MH039683, I01 BX004500, IK2 BX002130, Stonehill College SURE program, I01 BX001356
0225 Do Associations Between Daily Stress and Sleep Vary by Work Shift? A Within-Person Analysis in Nurses
Authors: Dietch J R , Slavish D C , Messman B , Wardle-Pinkston S , Kelly K , Ruggero C J , Taylor D J
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Longitudinal studies have shown daily stress and sleep are bidirectionally associated. Nurses are particularly likely to experience sleep disturbances and high stress due to demanding work environments. Night shift work may be a unique stressor for nurses that exacerbates associations between stress and sleep. Using a within-person design, we examined the daily bidirectional associations between stress and sleep and moderation by nightly work shift (day/off shift vs. night shift) in a large sample of nurses.

Methods

Participants were 393 nurses (91% female; 77% white, mean age = 38.4 years) recruited from two hospitals. Participants completed 14 days of sleep diaries and actigraphy to assess total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE). They simultaneously completed assessments of stress on the previous day (0 = “not at all” to 4 = “extremely”) and daily work schedule (day/off shift vs. night shift [work between 9pm-6am]).

Results

Results indicated greater daily stress was associated with shorter diary TST (b = -9.49, p<.0001) and actigraphy TST (b = -4.48, p<.01), as well as lower diary SE (b = -0.56, p<.001). When examining reverse pathways of sleep predicting next day stress, both diary TST (b = -0.0004, p<.0001) and actigraphy TST (b = -0.0002, p = .03) predicted higher next-day stress. Lower diary SE predicted higher next-day stress (b = -0.005, p<.001). Only the association between daily stress and nightly diary SE was moderated by daily work shift: only when nurses worked a day or off shift did they have a negative association between daily stress and diary SE (b = -0.68, p<.0001).

Conclusion

Daily stress and sleep disturbances occurred in a bidirectional fashion for night- and day-shift working nurses. Most associations were similar regardless of daily type of work shift. Objective and subjective short TST and low subjective SE may contribute to a cycle of increased stress and are prime targets for a tailored sleep intervention in nurses. More research is needed to develop interventions to address the unique sleep health challenges faced by nurses.

Support

NIAID R01AI128359-01
0230 Sleep and Interrogation: Does Losing Sleep Impact Criminal History Disclosure?
Authors: Krizan Z , Miller A , Meissner C
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Despite centuries of using sleep deprivation during interrogation, there is virtually no scientific evidence on how sleep shapes behavior in interrogation settings. Moreover, investigative interviews are often conducted at night, or with fatigued subjects. To evaluate the impact of sleeplessness on subjects’ behavior during investigative interviews, an experimental study examined the impact of moderate sleep restriction on information disclosure and behavioral reactions during interviews about past illegal acts.

Methods

Healthy participants (N=120) were recruited from the university community and randomly assigned to either maintain or curb their sleep (up to 4 hours a night) across two days. Back in the laboratory individuals privately indicated whether they committed various illegal acts. Participants were interviewed while video-recorded about the most severe act they acknowledged. After the initial disclosure, participants listened to a ‘model’ statement, an unrelated example of a person’s detailed event account designed to encourage additional disclosure, after which they again provided information about their offense. Key variables were the severity of the illegal behavior reported and the amount of information provided before and after the model statement (blindly coded from transcripts for quantity and quality).

Results

Sleep-restricted participants slept on average 4.5 hours less (confirmed via actigraphy), reported no differences in perceived treatment by the interviewer, and tended to report less severe offenses. Critically, sleep-restricted participants provided almost 20% less information during their initial disclosure (d = .53, p =.01). After the model statement, however, disclosure was generally higher and similar across conditions (d = .15, p = .35). Sleep-restricted individuals also reported less overall motivation to recall information (d=.27, p = .01).

Conclusion

Results suggest that even moderate sleep loss can inhibit criminal disclosure during interviews, and that reduced motivation could play a role. Also, the use of the model statement could compensate for this effect.

Support

N/A
0244 Examining Pilot Safety Performance Indicators at Critical Phases of Flight Across Multiple Flight Legs During Commercial Airline Trips
Authors: Lamp A , Soriano Smith R N , Rasmussen I , Keller C , Basiarz E , Belenky G
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Prior simulation and operational studies have started to address whether the number of consecutive flight segments negatively affects cognitive performance, fatigue, and sleepiness, without reaching a clear consensus. This study expands this literature by determining whether there are significant changes in cognitive performance, fatigue, and sleepiness at critical phases of flight across multiple flight segments, while accounting for the number of segments, flight direction, trip day, and time-of-day.

Methods

Fifty commercial airline pilots were studied. Each pilot flew two separate short-haul trips, each ranging from 1–4 days and 1–10 flight segments. Cognitive performance, fatigue, and sleepiness were assessed at top-of-climb (TOC) and top-of-descent (TOD) of each flight segment and each trip day. Cognitive performance, fatigue, and sleepiness were assessed using Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) speed, Samn-Perelli (SP) ratings, and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) ratings, respectively. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon t-tests and verified using ANOVAs.

Results

Mean PVT speed (Cohen’s d =0.57), SP ratings (Cohen’s d = 0.73), and KSS ratings (Cohen’s d = 0.63) were significantly worse at TOD than TOC (p < 0.001); and, significantly varied across flight segments (p<0.001). Cognitive performance, fatigue, and sleepiness were consistently and significantly degraded around the fifth flight segment, improved around the sixth to eighth flights segments, and were subsequently degraded around the eighth to tenth flight segments.

Conclusion

The results indicate that cognitive performance, fatigue, and sleepiness vary across flight segments, trip day, and phase of flight. Results suggest that these safety performance indices degrade after five segments, and further degrade after eight flight segments. The results presented could be used to inform future airline scheduling and regulation.

Support

This work has been supported by United Airlines.
0253 Eating Behaviors, Physical Activity, and Sleep in Shift Workers: Results from a Combined Field and Laboratory Study
Authors: Chen Y , Lauren S , Shechter A
Published: May 2020

Introduction

In shift workers, short sleep duration combined with circadian misalignment may affect behaviors that impact regulation of energy balance and metabolism. We conducted a combined field-and-laboratory study to determine how real-life shift work affects diet, physical activity, and sleep via objective and self-report measures.

Methods

Participants were day (n=12) and night (n=12) shift workers from an urban hospital setting (nurses and technicians, all female). During the field portion of the study, participants wore a wrist-mounted accelerometer to track sleep and physical activity during their series of shifts, and completed a computer-assisted 24-hour dietary recall. After awakening from the sleep episode following the final work shift, participants entered the laboratory in the fasted state and underwent an ad libitum 14-item test-meal buffet to objectively quantify food choice and intake.

Results

Sleep duration was significantly shorter and worse quality in night vs. day workers. Physical activity levels were not different between groups. Based on 24-h dietary recall, night vs. day workers consumed less protein (65.9 ± 39.0 vs. 87.2 ± 40.7 g, p=0.01) and fiber (12.5 ± 6.0 vs. 16.9 ± 6.2 g, p=0.01), but did not differ in daily intakes of calories, fat, or carbohydrate. Night vs. day workers reported a longer daily window of eating duration (14.2 ± 3.8 vs. 12.0 ± 1.5 h, p=0.02). In the lab test-meal, there were no group differences in total calories consumed. When expressed as percent of calories consumed, night vs. day workers had lower protein intake (11.82 ± 4.05 vs. 16.03 ± 5.69 %; p=0.05).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this was the first study to include a laboratory-based behavioral assessment of food choice/intake in real-life night and day shift workers using objective measures. We did not assess measures of circadian phase so can only assume that circadian misalignment, in addition to the disturbances in sleep duration and quality, contributes to findings. Changes to dietary patterns in night vs. day workers (namely, reduced protein intake which may affect satiety, and prolonged daily eating duration window) may present potential pathways by which night shift work contributes to risk for overweight and obesity.

Support

UL1TR000040
0254 The Effects of Chronic Sleep Restriction on Multiple Object Tracking
Authors: Costedoat G , Feria C S , Pradhan S , Stone L S , Flynn-Evans E E
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The ability to simultaneously track numerous moving objects in the presence of irrelevant stimuli is essential for successfully carrying out a variety of tasks. Sleep loss impairs neurocognitive functioning and, as a result, attentional processing capacity is reduced. The objective of the current study was to determine if performance on the multiple object tracking (MOT) task was adversely impacted by a week of chronic sleep restriction (CSR).

Methods

Twelve healthy participants (6 males, 6 females) kept a fixed sleep-wake schedule, with a constant waketime, at home for four weeks (actigraphy confirmed compliance). During weeks one and three, participants maintained 9 hours in bed. During weeks two and four, participants were randomly assigned to 5 and 9 hours of sleep. Following weeks two and four, participants completed a 13-hour laboratory visit under dim light (< 15 lux), where they maintained a constant posture and were provided with hourly isocaloric snacks. MOT was presented at approximately 6 and 8 hours after waking. Participants were required to track four, five, or six moving targets in the presence of identical distractors (always 12 total objects).

Results

Participants slept significantly less when assigned to 5 (M = 4.43 hours, SD = 0.33 hours), compared to 9 hours of sleep (M = 7.42 hours, SD = 0.42 hours; F (1, 22) = 206.89, p = 0.00). The proportion of correct MOT responses was significantly lower following 5 (M = 0.70, SD = 0.15) compared to 9 hours of sleep (M = 0.77, SD = 0.12; F (1, 22) = 10.29, p < .05).

Conclusion

A week of CSR adversely impacted MOT performance compared to a week of sleep satiation. These findings have implications for individuals, such as air traffic controllers and truck drivers, who must visually track multiple moving objects, often while chronically sleep deprived.

Support

Supported by the Force Health Protection Program of the Office of Naval Research (SAA2402925-1, Contract Award no. N0001418IP00050).
0256 Can a Single Night’s Sleep Architecture Predict Next-Day Affect and Affect Regulation?
Authors: ten Brink M , Zhang J , Manber R , Kreibig S , Gross J J
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Disrupted sleep has been shown to alter next-day affective functioning by decreasing positive mood, increase negative reactivity, and impairing people’s ability to regulate their affect. However, few studies have examined how particular aspects of sleep timing and architecture influence typical daytime affect. Based on clinical and laboratory research on reactivity to emotional stimuli, we hypothesized a particularly important role for REM sleep in next-day affective functioning.

Methods

We analyzed a subset of N = 64 from a larger study of healthy adult community members who had complete data from a single night of ambulatory polysomnography (PSG) at home as well as morning and evening diaries. We tested whether PSG-derived total sleep time, sleep efficiency, REM percentage, REM latency, and SWS latency predicted self-reported negative mood and use of affect regulation the following morning and day using linear regression models.

Results

Surprisingly, there were no significant associations (p > 0.05) between any of the five PSG sleep architecture measures with self-reported negative morning mood, daytime mood, or daytime affective regulation.

Conclusion

This finding indicates that objective sleep measures from a single night of at home PSG in a healthy adult population are not necessarily predictive of an individual’s subsequent emotional well-being on the following day.

Support

National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship