Lateralized differences in power spectra across different frequency bands during NREM sleep in patients with primary insomnia

ObjectiveTo compare the electroencephalogram power spectrum of patients with primary insomnia and good sleep controls in multiple brain areas and different frequency bands during non-rapid eye movement sleep.Methods48 primary insomnias and 30 age-and gender-matched good sleep controls were recorded overnight with polysomnography. Power spectral analysis was performed in six brain areas (F3, F4, C3, C4, O1 and O2) and across seven frequency bands (delta, sigma, alpha, theta, beta1, beta2, and gamma) during non-rapid eye movement sleep between primary insomnias and good sleep controls.ResultsIn primary insomnias, there were significant differences in frequency bands and areas. Compared to good sleep controls, delta power was lower in primary insomnias, while beta1, beta2, and gamma were higher. Beta2 power was substantially higher in all areas, sigma power was significantly higher on the right side, and gamma power was considerably higher on the left side in primary insomnias. The Beta1 power was positively correlated the number of awakenings (r = 0.3291, p = 0.02) in primary insomnias on the right side.ConclusionThis study marked the first specialized comparison of power spectral analysis during non-rapid eye movement sleep in different areas and across different frequency bands. The result suggested that primary insomnias had reduced deep sleep (lower delta power) and hyperarousal state (higher beta 2 power). Primary insomnia was associated with significant fragmented sleep, and an increase in beta1 power was related to the number of awakenings.SignificanceThese findings revealed the hemispheric lateralization characteristics of power spectral disturbances during non-rapid eye movement sleep in primary insomnias and provided valuable insights for selecting electrode placements in future power spectral analyses of primary insomnias.