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Simon S Smith,1 Shannon L Edmed,1 Sally L Staton,1 Cassandra L Pattinson,2 Karen J Thorpe11Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; 2Brain Tissue and Injury Branch, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USAPurpose: Major changes in the timing, duration, and function of sleep occur during childhood. These changes include the transition from habitual napping to infrequent napping. This transition is likely to reflect, at least in part, neurocognitive development. This study sought to identify factors that discriminate between four groups of children with different teacher-reported responses to naptime in childcare: those who nap (nappers), sometimes nap (transitioners), do not nap (resters), and neither nap, nor lie still (problem nappers).Methods: Standardized observations of sleep and sleep behaviors, daytime behaviors across a number of domains, and direct neurocognitive assessment of 158 preschool aged children (aged 49–72 months; 54% male) attending childcare centers in Queensland (QLD), Australia, were adopted as part of a large longitudinal study of early childhood, the Effective Early Education Experiences (E4Kids) study. Discriminant function analysis was used to examine how age, parent education, nighttime sleep duration, cognitive functioning, behavior problems, and temperament differentiated the four groups.Results: Three discriminant functions were identified and defined as maturation (strong loadings of nighttime sleep duration, cognitive function, and age), socioeconomic status (parental education), and behavioral problems (externalizing behavior, temperament, and internalizing behavior). These functions accounted for 62.9%, 32.6%, and 4.5% of the between-groups variance, respectively. Children defined as nappers (n=44) had significantly shorter duration of nighttime sleep, were younger, and had lower cognitive functioning scores than did other groups. Problem nappers, (n=25) were more likely to have parents with lower levels of education than did transitioners (n=41). Standard behavior and temperament measures did not significantly differentiate the groups.Conclusion: The findings support an interaction between cognitive development, sleep behaviors, and the individual needs and circumstances of children. Further research in this area could make a strong contribution to theory and practice in early childhood education, and a strong contribution to understanding of children’s development.Keywords: napping, children’s sleep, sleep behavior, early childhood

OBJECTIVES: We compared the autonomic modulation and sleep behavior of eutrophic and overweight patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: COPD participants were divided into the overweight and eutrophic groups. Pulmonary function, blood pressure, body composition, autonomic modulation, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score were assessed. Participants performed the six-minute walk test for functional assessment. RESULTS: Spirometric variables obtained in eutrophic and overweight individuals with COPD showed no statistically different results. We observed that the SDNN index indicated lower overall variability (p=0.003), and root mean square of successive differences between normal heart beats (RMSSD) (p=0.04) indicated lower parasympathetic modulation in the overweight group than observed in the eutrophic group. The indexes of the frequency domain presented lower values of total variability (p

Sleep behavior remains one of the most enigmatic areas of life. The unanswered questions range from "why do we sleep?" to "how we can improve sleep in today's society?" Identification of mutations responsible for altered circadian regulation of human sleep lead to unique opportunities for probing these territories. In this review, we summarize causative circadian mutations found from familial genetic studies to date. We also describe how these mutations mechanistically affect circadian function and lead to altered sleep behaviors, including shifted or shortening of sleep patterns. In addition, we discuss how the investigation of mutations can not only expand our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the circadian clock and sleep duration, but also bridge the pathways between clock/sleep and other human physiological conditions and ailments such as metabolic regulation and migraine headaches.

Migration is a seasonal phenomenon, wherein the birds swap between their breeding and overwintering grounds to avoid harsh climatic conditions and maximally utilize the geographical resources available. The annual cycle of a migratory bird broadly comprises non-breeding and breeding phases. The non-breeding phase corresponds to non-migratory life history state (LHS), whereas the breeding phase can be bifurcated into migratory (spring/autumn migration) and reproductive stages. Since most of the migratory birds are nocturnal migrants, this results either in shift or compromised sleep in these organisms for the sake of their reproduction and survival. Thus, an obvious question arises regarding the prevalence and distribution of sleep in these night migrants. Therefore, the present study focuses on the life history state-dependent as well as daily (with reference to night) differences in sleep behavior with special mention of different sleep postures in a migratory bunting, Emberiza bruniceps. For this purpose, male redheaded buntings were procured from the wild, and after acclimation in laboratory condition, were subjected to short (8L:16D) and long (13L:11D) photoperiodic schedules. Short photoperiod corresponds to non-migratory, whereas long photoperiod leads to pre-migratory and migratory LHSs. The results reveal that sleep behavior varied with different life history states of the bird. Non-migratory and pre-migratory states were dominated by front and back sleep postures, whereas migratory phase was dominated by active wakefulness. Not only life history state, even the night itself showed gradation in occurrence of different sleep behaviors. As the study was conducted in different phases of night, phasic distribution of different sleep behaviors was also observed. Thus, the bird under study, redheaded bunting, clearly demonstrated life history state, as well as daily differences in distribution of different sleep behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the environment, particularly in the microwave range, may constitute a public health concern. Exposure to 2.4 GHz EMR modulated by 100 Hz square pulses was recently reported to markedly increase wakefulness in mice. Here, we demonstrate that a similar wakefulness increase can be induced by the modulation frequency of 1,000 Hz, but not 10 Hz. In contrast to the carrier frequency of 2.4 GHz, 935 MHz EMR of the same power density has little impact on wakefulness irrespective of modulation frequency. Notably, the replacement of the 100 Hz square-pulsed modulation by sinusoidal-pulsed modulation of 2.4 GHz EMR still allows a marked increase of wakefulness. In contrast, continuous sinusoidal amplitude modulation of 100 Hz with the same time-averaged power output fails to trigger any detectable change of wakefulness. Therefore, alteration of sleep behavior by EMR depends upon not just carrier frequency but also frequency and mode of the modulation. These results implicate biological sensing mechanisms for specific EMR in animals., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Study Objectives: Insufficient sleep is common among children and adolescents, and can contribute to poor health. School-based interventions potentially could improve sleep behavior due to their broad reach, but their effectiveness is unclear. This systematic review focused on the effects of school-based interventions on sleep behavior among children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years., Methods: Five electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of sleep health interventions initiated or conducted in school settings and in which behavioral sleep outcomes were measured. Cochrane risk of bias tools were used to assess study quality., Results: From the 5303 database records and two papers from other sources, 21 studies (22 papers) met the inclusion criteria for this review. These studies involved 10 867 children and adolescents at baseline from 13 countries. Most studies ( n  = 15) were conducted in secondary schools. Sleep education was the most common intervention, either alone ( n  = 13 studies) or combined with other initiatives (stress management training, n  = 2; bright light therapy, n  = 1; health education, n  = 1). Interventions were typically brief in terms of both the intervention period (median = 4 weeks) and exposure (median = 200 minutes). Behavioral outcomes included actigraphy-measured and self-reported sleep patterns, and sleep hygiene. All outcomes had high risk of bias or some concerns with bias. Sleep education interventions were typically ineffective. Later school start times promoted longer sleep duration over 1 week (1 study, high risk of bias)., Conclusions: Current evidence does not provide school-based solutions for improving sleep health, perhaps highlighting a need for complex, multi-component interventions (e.g. whole-of-school approaches) to be trialed., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Sleep Research Society.)

Abstract Objective To date, there is little information on how lay people understand and discuss sleep in the context of daily life. Efforts to conceptualize sleep quality have been largely driven by clinical considerations of sleep disorders. As such, they are not necessarily of how normal sleepers without clinical expertise conceptualize sleep quality. A phenomenological approach was taken to understand the essence of the sleep experience and the concepts held by lay people without sleep disorders. A sentence completion questionnaire was developed and administered to a quota sample of 64 respondents who were selected aiming for sufficient representation of different gender, ages, and education levels. Results Significant sentences and meaningful units were derived inductively, resulting in a classification of nine categories. The major facets of sleep experience of lay people were ‘daytime functioning’, ‘interruptions during the night’ and ‘before bed state’. This implies that the experienced sleep quality is not only depending on the progress of the night. These results can guide future research to provide suitable psychometric measures for normal sleepers, as well as the design of sleep data visualization applications in the context of health self-monitoring.

While workforce downsizing can benefit firms by increasing efficiency, it also leads to a deterioration of worker job security. This study uses German survey data to investigate the impact of downsizing on quality and quantity of sleep. While the topic is largely unexplored, it is of central importance, as sleep is not only the most time-consuming activity in the life of individuals, but also highly essential for productivity, health, and life itself. To address potential endogeneity, the study employs three measures of downsizing: Workforce reduction at the firm level, dismissal rate at the industry level, and nationwide news of downsizing. The results show that all three measures of downsizing lead to poor sleep. The study further investigates the role of job insecurity as a potential mechanism. Instrumental variable estimates indicate that perceived job insecurity strongly increases the probability of insufficient sleep. • This study investigates the impact of downsizing on quality and quantity of sleep. • To address potential endogeneity, the study employs three indicators of downsizing. • Downsizing at the firm and industry level and news of downsizing. • Downsizing increases stress and leads to poor sleep. • Evidence for perceived job insecurity as a significant mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveillance of sleeping posture is essential for bed-ridden patients or individuals at-risk of falling out of bed. Existing sleep posture monitoring and classification systems may not be able to accommodate the covering of a blanket, which represents a barrier to conducting pragmatic studies. The objective of this study was to develop an unobtrusive sleep posture classification that could accommodate the use of a blanket. The system uses an infrared depth camera for data acquisition and a convolutional neural network to classify sleeping postures. We recruited 66 participants (40 men and 26 women) to perform seven major sleeping postures (supine, prone (head left and right), log (left and right) and fetal (left and right)) under four blanket conditions (thick, medium, thin, and no blanket). Data augmentation was conducted by affine transformation and data fusion, generating additional blanket conditions with the original dataset. Coarse-grained (four-posture) and fine-grained (seven-posture) classifiers were trained using two fully connected network layers. For the coarse classification, the log and fetal postures were merged into a side-lying class and the prone class (head left and right) was pooled. The results show a drop of overall F1-score by 8.2% when switching to the fine-grained classifier. In addition, compared to no blanket, a thick blanket reduced the overall F1-scores by 3.5% and 8.9% for the coarse- and fine-grained classifiers, respectively; meanwhile, the lowest performance was seen in classifying the log (right) posture under a thick blanket, with an F1-score of 72.0%. In conclusion, we developed a system that can classify seven types of common sleeping postures under blankets and achieved an F1-score of 88.9%.

This study characterized how quantities of cannabis and alcohol use affect sleep. Single-day and typical cannabis and alcohol use patterns were considered to assess acute-chronic use interactions. Linear and non-linear associations assessed dose-dependence. College students (n=337; 52% female) provided 11,417 days of data, with up to five time points per day. Daily self-reported sleep duration, cannabis use quantity, and alcohol use quantity were subjected to linear mixed modeling to capture linear and curvilinear associations between single-day and typical use on same-night and typical sleep. Sleep duration (difference between bedtime and waketime) was the outcome. Quantity of cannabis used each day andtypical quantity used across all days were predictors in the cannabis models. Parallel single-day and typical alcohol variables were predictors in the alcohol models. Follow-up analyses excluded days with alcohol-cannabis co-use. Main effects of single-day and typical cannabis quantity on sleep duration were observed when all cannabis-use days were modeled. Higher than typical doses of single-day and typical cannabis were associated with longer sleep durations, but only to a point; at the highest doses, cannabis shortened sleep. A main effect of single-day alcohol quantity and two interactions (single-day use with both linear and curvilinear typical use) on sleep duration were observed when all alcohol-use days were modeled. Greater alcohol consumption on a given day led to shorter same-night sleep, but typically heavier drinkers required higher doses than typically lighter drinkers to experience these adverse effects. Follow-up models suggested alcohol co-use may contribute to the purported sleep-promoting effects of cannabis., (© 2023 Authors et al.)

Objective: Athlete sleep behavior questionnaire (ASBQ) is a new, valid and reliable questionnaire for evaluating the sleep behaviors of elite athletes. The main objective of the current study was to provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the ASBQ (ASBQ-TR). Materials and Methods: Ninety-seven athletes and eighty-three nonathletes were included in the current study and asked to complete the 18-item ASBQ-TR. A sub-group of athletes (n=50) completed the ASBQ-TR twice, 7 days apart. The ASBQ was translated into English twice and then back-translated to Turkish after the permission of the author was received. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were performed via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. Results: There was a significant difference between the athlete and non-athlete groups in ASBQ-TR total score (38.4 and 36.2 respectively, p<0.05). Test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was acceptable (ICC=0.85). The factor loadings of ASBQ-TR were between 0.41 and 0.82. One of the 18-items of the questionnaire was removed due to the factor loading (below 0.40). Conclusion: The ASBQ-TR is a 17-item valid and reliable tool that can be used to identify sleep challenges that athletes face. The ASBQ-TR can be used as a practical tool for researchers and coaches evaluating the sleep behaviors of elite athletes. This tool may also be used to examine the sleep behavior differences among sports with different recovery needs and training loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aim Sleep problems are often reported in patients with a Dravet Syndrome (DS). In this study we explored the sleep behavior in DS and compared the prevalence of sleep problems with other epilepsy patients. Methods An online questionnaire based on the ' Sleep Behavior Questionnaire by Simonds & Parraga (SQ-SP) ' was distributed amongst DS parents and a control group (parents from children with epilepsy). Completed questionnaires were evaluated by factor scores and Composite Sleep Index (CSI). Results Fifty-six responses were recorded in the DS group (42 were ≤18 year). Caregivers reported an overall frequency of sleep problems in 42.3% (22/52). Severe sleep problems, measured by CSI, were found in 28.3% (13/46) mainly related to night waking or daytime sleepiness. In the control group (n = 66, 62 were ≤18 year), sleep problems were reported by 21.2% (14/52) of the parents. Comparison analysis between pediatric DS and epilepsy patients revealed no significant differences between the prevalence of different types of sleep disorders, except for daytime sleepiness (p = 0.042). However, the parent (or caregiver)-reported quality of sleep was significantly lower in the DS group (p = 0.011). Interpretation Sleep problems are frequent in DS patients and are mainly related to daytime sleepiness and night waking. Compared with other epilepsy patients, severe sleep problems are not more common in patients with a DS. However DS patients tend to have more mild night waking problems, which may explain the worse parental-reported sleep quality in DS patients. Highlights • Severe sleep problems (CSI ≥4) are seen in 28.3% of the DS patients. Mild sleep problems are more frequent (up to 46.9%). • Night waking and daytime sleepiness are the main sleep problems in DS. • Severe sleep problems are equally frequent in DS and other epilepsies. • Patients using stiripentol tended to have more frequently severe sleep problems, in particular more daytime sleepiness. • Parental perception of sleep problems appears to be worse in DS parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, nudges to improve health behaviors have generated growing public health interest, as a promising and inexpensive intervention approach. Most nudging intervention reviews have examined nudges targeting adults, with few focusing on children. We aimed to review the literature on nudges designed to improve children's sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and sleep, and to identify existing gaps in scientific knowledge. We screened the literature for experimental and quasi-experimental studies written in French or English reporting on nudging interventions designed to improve physical activity, sedentary or sleep behavior in children aged 2–12. No setting restrictions were applied. Data extracted included setting, population, health behavior and method of measurement (reported vs measured or observed). The search was performed in June 2021 and yielded 3768 results, of which 17 articles met inclusion criteria. Most included studies aimed to improve physical activity, seven targeted sedentary behavior and only one was directed at sleep. Home or school settings were the most common. Most studies were RCTs, reported a positive effect and presented multicomponent interventions, including both nudges and non-nudge aspects. Interventions targeting the decision structure were the least represented type of nudges among our sample. Our results show a paucity of research investigating nudges aimed at improving pediatric physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. Interventions using nudges alone were even fewer, highlighting the need to study this promising type of intervention to improve lifestyle behaviors of children. • Few nudges exist to improve lifestyle behaviors in children. • Most studies included nudge as one component of a multipronged intervention. • Most included studies targeted physical activity; only one focused on sleep. • Many nudge techniques have not been investigated for children lifestyle behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep problems represent a worldwide health concern but their prevalence and impacts are unknown in most non-European/North American countries. This study aimed to evaluate sleep-wake patterns, sleep quality and potential correlates of poor sleep in a sample of the urban Georgian population.

Background. Approximately 35% of men in the United States are obese, though little theoretical work examining predictors correlates of obesity exists for this population. The purpose of this study was to test the capacity of Bandura’s social cognitive model of health behavior to account for variance in fruit and vegetable consumption, moderate physical activity, and sleep behavior in overweight and obese men. Methods. Data were collected from overweight and obese men using previously validated questionnaires. Structural equation models were built to examine the direct and indirect effects the social cognitive theory constructs of self-efficacy, outcome expectation, socio-structural factors, and goals on the behaviors under investigation. Results. A total of 305 men participated in this study (Mage=44.52; SD=6.95). Overall fit for the social cognitive models of health behavior were adequate, accounting for 35.0%, 31.2%, and 21.1% of the variance in the fruit and vegetable consumption, moderate physical activity, and sleep behavior correlates, respectively. Self-efficacy had the greatest total effect on fruit and vegetable consumption (βtotal=.500) and sleep behavior (βtotal=.406), while goals has the greatest total effect on moderate physical activity (βtotal=.495). The indirect effects of self-efficacy on the three behaviors demonstrates the relative importance of self-efficacy as a mediator for health behavior change. Discussion. Men are underrepresented in behavioral obesity prevention and treatment research. This study provides support for the social cognitive model of health behavior as a theoretical framework for predicting behaviors hypothesized to protect against and treat obesity in men. Additionally, this study represents the first attempt to model correlates social cognitive constructs on sleep behavior.

Background: Mutations in glucocerebrosidase (GBA), a lysosomal enzyme are the most common genetic risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied how reduced GCase activity affects α-synuclein (α-syn) and its mutants (A30P and A53T) aggregation, neurodegeneration, sleep and locomotor behavior in a fly model of PD.Methods: We developed drosophila with GBA gene knockdown (RNAi) (with reduced GCase activity) that simultaneously expresses either wildtype (WT) or mutants such as A30P or A53T α-syn. Western blot and confocal microscopy were performed to study the α-syn aggregation and neurodegeneration in these flies. We also studied the sleep and locomotor activity of those flies using Drosophila activity monitor (DAM) system.Results: Western blot analysis showed that GBA RNAi A53T α-syn flies (30 days old) had an increased level of Triton insoluble synuclein (that corresponds to α-syn aggregates) compared to corresponding A53T flies without GBA RNAi (control), while mRNA expression of α-syn remained unchanged. Confocal imaging of whole brain staining of 30 days old drosophila showed a statistically significant decrease in neuron numbers in PPL1 cluster in flies expressing α-syn WT, A30P and A53T in the presence GBA RNAi compared to corresponding control. Staining with conformation specific antibody for α-syn aggregates showed an increased number of neurons staining for α-syn aggregates in A53T fly brain with GBA RNAi compared to control A53T flies, thus confirming our protein analysis finding that under decreased GBA enzyme activity, mutant A53T aggregates more than the control A53T without GBA silencing. Sleep analysis revealed decreased total activity in GBA silenced flies expressing mutant A53T compared to both A53T control flies and GBA RNAi flies without synuclein expression.Conclusion: In A53T flies with reduced GCase activity, there is increased α-syn aggregation and dopamine (DA) neuronal loss. This study demonstrates that reduced GCase activity both in the context of heterozygous GBA1 mutation associated with PD and in old age, contribute to increased aggregation of mutant α-syn A53T and exacerbates the phenotype in a fly model of PD.

Introduction: Coronavirus has affected more than 200 countries around the world. Due to lockdowns, people have limited outdoor activities and started adopting new and healthy lifestyle behaviors., Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle-related behavior. Data were collected from different regions of North India using Google Forms (Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA) with the help of a standardized questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. The p-value was set at <0.05., Results: A total of 468 responses were recorded (mean age: 28.51 years). A significant improvement was found in the intake of fruits and vegetables as well as pulses, eggs, or meat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation in household chores and screen time in watching mobile or television were significantly increased. The majority (44.4%) of participants had stable weight, and 37.8% gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic. The anxiety they felt in a day also increased, which was predominantly due to fear of COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant association was found between physical activity scores and gender, residence, nature of work, and hours of work of study subjects., Conclusion: There is an improvement in healthy eating behavior, quality of sleep, and participation in household chores during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, domains of lifestyle can be explored to bring a positive style of living for the achievement of healthy lifestyle behavior by the general population., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Pandey et al.)

Background: Sleep is an essential need of humankind; it is necessary for quality of life and health at all ages. Poor sleep quality is closely associated with lifestyle habits including Internet use. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep quality and the level of Internet addiction among students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU). Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out on July 2017 among 511 students aged 18-25 years enrolled at KAU in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality and habits, and Young's Internet Addiction Test was used to assess Internet addiction among students. Frequencies, chi-square, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis were used in data analysis. Results: A total of 511 students participated; 350 (68.5%) were women. Poor sleep quality was found in 54.4% of the participants, whereas Internet addiction was found to be mild in 42.3%, moderate in 29.9%, and severe in 1.8%. A significant correlation was found between sleep quality and Internet addiction (p = .00). Other significant associations linked the quality of sleep to smoking and caffeine consumption. Conclusion: Sleep problems and poor sleep quality among KAU students were related to high Internet use. Further studies are needed to fully understand the factors that affect sleep behavior and Internet addiction among university students in Jeddah. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light pollution is an ever increasing worldwide problem disrupting animal behavior. Artificial light at night (ALAN) has been shown to affect sleep in wild birds. Even cavity-nesting bird species may be affected when sleeping inside their cavity. Correlational studies suggest that light from outside the cavity/nest box, for example from street lights, may affect sleep. We used an experimental design to study to what extent nest boxes shield animals from effects of ALAN on sleep. We recorded individual sleep behavior of free-living great tits (Parusmajor) that were roosting in dark nest boxes and exposed their nest box entrance to ALAN the following night (1.6 lux white LED light; a similar light intensity as was found at nest boxes near street lights). Their behavior was compared to that of control birds sleeping in dark nest boxes on both nights. Our experimental treatment did not affect sleep behavior. Sleep behavior of birds in the control group did not differ from that of individuals in the light treated group. Our results suggest that during winter cavities shield birds from some effects of ALAN. Furthermore, given that effects of ALAN and exposure to artificial light are species-, sex-, and season-dependent, it is important that studies using wild animals quantify individual exposure to light pollution, and be cautious in the interpretation and generalization of the effects, or lack thereof, from light pollution. Rigorous studies are necessary to examine individual light exposure and its consequences in cavity- and open-nesting birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I discuss the relationship between bodily experiences in dreams and the sleeping, physical body. I question the popular view that dreaming is a naturally and frequently occurring real-world example of cranial envatment. This view states that dreams are functionally disembodied states: in a majority of dreams, phenomenal experience, including the phenomenology of embodied selfhood, unfolds completely independently of external and peripheral stimuli and outward movement. I advance an alternative and more empirically plausible view of dreams as weakly phenomenally-functionally embodied states. The view predicts that bodily experiences in dreams can be placed on a continuum with bodily illusions in wakefulness. It also acknowledges that there is a high degree of variation across dreams and different sleep stages in the degree of causal coupling between dream imagery, sensory input, and outward motor activity. Furthermore, I use the example of movement sensations in dreams and their relation to outward muscular activity to develop a predictive processing account. I propose that movement sensations in dreams are associated with a basic and developmentally early kind of bodily self-sampling. This account, which affords a central role to active inference, can then be broadened to explain other aspects of self- and world-simulation in dreams. Dreams are world-simulations centered on the self, and important aspects of both self- and world-simulation in dreams are closely linked to bodily self-sampling, including muscular activity, illusory own-body perception, and vestibular orienting in sleep. This is consistent with cognitive accounts of dream generation, in which long-term beliefs and expectations, as well as waking concerns and memories play an important role. What I add to this picture is an emphasis on the real-body basis of dream imagery. This offers a novel perspective on the formation of dream imagery and suggests new lines of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mutations in glucocerebrosidase (GBA), a lysosomal enzyme are the most common genetic risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied how reduced GCase activity affects α-synuclein (α-syn) and its mutants (A30P and A53T) aggregation, neurodegeneration, sleep and locomotor behavior in a fly model of PD. Methods: We developed drosophila with GBA gene knockdown (RNAi) (with reduced GCase activity) that simultaneously expresses either wildtype (WT) or mutants such as A30P or A53T α-syn. Western blot and confocal microscopy were performed to study the α-syn aggregation and neurodegeneration in these flies. We also studied the sleep and locomotor activity of those flies using Drosophila activity monitor (DAM) system. Results: Western blot analysis showed that GBA RNAi A53T α-syn flies (30 days old) had an increased level of Triton insoluble synuclein (that corresponds to α-syn aggregates) compared to corresponding A53T flies without GBA RNAi (control), while mRNA expression of α-syn remained unchanged. Confocal imaging of whole brain staining of 30 days old drosophila showed a statistically significant decrease in neuron numbers in PPL1 cluster in flies expressing α-syn WT, A30P and A53T in the presence GBA RNAi compared to corresponding control. Staining with conformation specific antibody for α-syn aggregates showed an increased number of neurons staining for α-syn aggregates in A53T fly brain with GBA RNAi compared to control A53T flies, thus confirming our protein analysis finding that under decreased GBA enzyme activity, mutant A53T aggregates more than the control A53T without GBA silencing. Sleep analysis revealed decreased total activity in GBA silenced flies expressingmutant A53T compared to both A53T control flies and GBA RNAi flies without synuclein expression. Conclusion: In A53T flies with reduced GCase activity, there is increased α-syn aggregation and dopamine (DA) neuronal loss. This study demonstrates that reduced GCase activity both in the context of heterozygous GBA1 mutation associated with PD and in old age, contribute to increased aggregation of mutant α-syn A53T and exacerbates the phenotype in a fly model of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents of children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) commonly report sleep problems, which typically exacerbate daytime behavior problems. This pilot study sought to identify the short-term effects on sleep, behavior challenges, attention, and quality of life of children with ASD following use of the iLs Dreampad ™ pillow, which delivers bone conducted music and environmental sounds. Aims were to demonstrate acceptability and feasibility, identify measures sensitive to change, and describe individual characteristics responsive to change. Method: Parent report questionnaires assessed sleep behavior, attention, autism-related behaviors, and quality of life from 15 participants before and during intervention. A Sleep Diary documented average sleep duration and average time to fall asleep during the preintervention phase and the last 2 weeks of the treatment phase. Results: Procedures were acceptable and feasible for families. All measures were sensitive to change. Children with ASD demonstrated significant change in sleep duration and time needed to fall asleep from pretest to intervention. Improvements were noted in autism-related behaviors, attention, and quality of life. Parent satisfaction was high. Conclusions: The iLs Dreampad™ pillow may be one alternative intervention to pharmacological interventions for children with ASD who have sleep problems. Further study is warranted.

Background: Parents of children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) commonly report sleep problems, which typically exacerbate daytime behavior problems. This pilot study sought to identify the short-term effects on sleep, behavior challenges, attention, and quality of life of children with ASD following use of the iLs Dreampad™ pillow, which delivers bone conducted music and environmental sounds. Aims were to demonstrate acceptability and feasibility, identify measures sensitive to change, and describe individual characteristics responsive to change. Method: Parent report questionnaires assessed sleep behavior, attention, autism-related behaviors, and quality of life from 15 participants before and during intervention. A Sleep Diary documented average sleep duration and average time to fall asleep during the preintervention phase and the last 2 weeks of the treatment phase. Results: Procedures were acceptable and feasible for families. All measures were sensitive to change. Children with ASD demonstrated significant change in sleep duration and time needed to fall asleep from pretest to intervention. Improvements were noted in autism-related behaviors, attention, and quality of life. Parent satisfaction was high. Conclusions: The iLs Dreampad™ pillow may be one alternative intervention to pharmacological interventions for children with ASD who have sleep problems. Further study is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor and a sleep disorder that affects 2.5-10% of the European and North American populations. RLS is also often associated with periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS). Despite ample evidence of genetic contributions, the underlying mechanisms that elicit the sensory and motor symptoms remain unidentified. Clinically, RLS has been correlated with an altered central iron metabolism, particularly in the brain. While several animal models have been developed to determine the outcome of an altered iron homeostasis on brain function, the potential role of an altered iron homeostasis on sleep and sensorimotor circuits has not yet been investigated. Here, we utilize a mouse model to assess the effects of an iron-deficient (ID) but non-anemic state on sleep time and episodes, and sensorimotor reflexes in male and female mice. We found that animals on the ID diet displayed an increased expression of the transferrin receptor in the spinal cord, confirming the results of previous studies that focused only on the impact of ID in the brain. We also demonstrate that the ID diet reduced hematocrit levels compared to controls but not into the anemic range, and that animals on the ID diet exhibited RLS-like symptoms with regard to sleep onset and spinal cord reflex excitability. Interestingly, the effects on the spinal cord were stronger in females than in males, and the ID diet-induced behaviors were rescued by the return of the animals to the control diet. Taken together, these results demonstrate that diet-induced ID changes to CNS function are both inducible and reversible, and that they mimic the sleep and sensorimotor RLS symptoms experienced in the clinic. We therefore propose replacing the commonly used phrase "brain iron deficiency" (BID) hypothesis in the RLS research field with the term "iron deficiency in the central nervous system" (ID-CNS), to include possible effects of altered iron levels on spinal cord function., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Woods, Basco and Clemens.)

Study Objectives: This study assessed the associations between sleep behaviors with white matter macro and microstructure., Methods: A total of 26 354 participants in the UK Biobank (mean [standard deviation], age, 63.7 [7.5] years, 53.4% female) were included in this study. A healthy sleep score integrated sleep behaviors including chronotype, insomnia, sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, and snoring. Linear and nonlinear relationships were calculated between individual and aggregate sleep behaviors with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and microstructural injury., Results: A "U-shaped" relationship was revealed between sleep duration and WMH, and the lowest WMH was at 7.7 h per night. Four unhealthy sleep behaviors including late chronotype, sleep duration (>8 h or <7 h), excessive daytime sleepiness, and snoring significantly increased WMH impacts. Lower healthy sleep score was linked with increased WMH impacts (β = 0.164, 95% CI = 0.110-0.218), and worse microstructure in association and thalamic white matter tracts. Increased body mass index, glycated hemoglobin A1c, and systolic blood pressure were potential mediators of the relationships between unhealthy sleep behaviors and increased WMH. However, higher BMI and low-density lipoprotein were revealed as protective mediators between snoring and improved white matter integrity including lower MD and higher ICVF., Conclusions: Unhealthy sleep behaviors were associated with increased WMH impacts and worse white matter microstructure in specific tracts across middle and older age. These findings provide the potential to improve white matter integrity by reversing unhealthy sleep behaviors., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Sleep Research Society. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Although an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) has been reported in individuals with low vitamin D status, this remains controversial. Growing evidence suggests that sleep behaviors may influence vitamin D endocrine functions., Objectives: We explored the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [[25(OH)D] concentrations and CHD and whether sleep behaviors modify this relationship., Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 7511 adults aged ≥20 y in 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that included serum 25(OH)D concentrations and provided information on sleep behaviors and history of CHD was performed. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and CHD, whereas stratified analyses and multiplicative interaction tests were used to evaluate the modification effect of overall sleep patterns and each sleep factor on this relationship. The overall sleep patterns integrated 4 sleep behaviors (sleep duration, snoring, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness) in the form of healthy sleep score., Results: Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with risk of CHD (P < 0.01). Hypovitaminosis D [serum 25(OH)D <50nmol/L] was associated with a 71% increased risk of CHD (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.28; P < 0.01) compared with that in participants with sufficient vitamin D [serum 25(OH)D ≥75nmol/L], and the association was more evident and stable among participants with poor sleep patterns (P-interaction < 0.01). Among the individual sleep behaviors, sleep duration had the strongest interaction with 25(OH)D (P-interaction < 0.05). The association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and risk of CHD was more pronounced in participants with sleep duration <7 h/d or >8 h/d compared with those with sleep duration 7-8 h/d., Conclusions: These findings suggest that the influence of lifestyle-related behavioral risk factors, such as sleep behaviors (especially sleep duration), need to be considered when evaluating the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and CHD as well as the clinical benefits of vitamin D supplementation., (Copyright © 2023 American Society for Nutrition. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

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