Sleep Deprivation Does Not Influence Photic Resetting of Circadian Activity Rhythms in Drosophila

Previous investigations in humans and rodent animal models have assessed the interplay of sleep in the circadian system’s phase responses to nighttime light exposure. The resulting data have been mixed, but generally support a modulatory role for sleep in circadian photic resetting (not an absolute requirement). Drosophila have been historically used to provide important insights in the sleep and circadian sciences. However, no experiments to date have evaluated how immediate sleep need or recent sleep history affects their pacemaker’s phase readjustments to light. We did so in the current study by (1) forcing separate groups of animals to stay awake for 1 or 4 h after they were shown a broadspectrum pulse (15 min during the first half of the night, 950 lux), or (2) placing them on a restricted sleep schedule for a week before light presentation without any subsequent sleep disruption. Forced sleep restriction, whether acute or chronic, did not alter the size of light-induced phase shifts. These data are consistent with observations made in other diurnal animals and raise the possibility, more broadly, that phototherapies applied during sleep—such as may be necessary during the winter months—may still be efficacious in individuals experiencing sleep-continuity problems such as insomnia

Spectrophotometric properties of commercially available blue blockers across multiple lighting conditions

Lenses that filter short-wavelength (“blue”) light are commercially marketed to improve sleep and circadian health. Despite their widespread use, minimal data are available regarding their comparative efficacy in curtailing blue light exposure while maintaining visibility. Fifty commercial lenses were evaluated using five light sources: a blue LED array, a computer tablet display, an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent overhead luminaire, and sunlight. Absolute irradiance was measured at baseline and for each lens across the visual spectrum (380–780 nm), which allowed calculation of percent transmission. Transmission specificity was also calculated to determine whether light transmission was predominantly circadian-proficient (455–560 nm) or non-proficient (380–454 nm and 561–780 nm). Lenses were grouped by tint and metrics were compared between groups. Red-tinted lenses exhibited the lowest transmission of circadian-proficient light, while reflective blue lenses had the highest transmission. Orange-tinted lenses transmitted similar circadian-proficient light as red-tinted lenses but transmitted more non-circadian-proficient light, resulting in higher transmission specificity. Orange-tinted lenses had the highest transmission specificity while limiting biologically active light exposure in ordinary lighting conditions. Glasses incorporating these lenses currently have the greatest potential to support circadian sleep-wake rhythms.12 month embargo; published online: 04 January 2022This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Insomnia and the Interpersonal Theory of suicide among civilians, service members, and veterans

Background: Insomnia is associated with suicide risk in civilian and military populations. Thwarted belongingness is proposed as a mediator of this relationship under the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS). The present study explored how insomnia relates to suicidal ideation in conjunction with thwarted belongingness among civilians, Service members, and Veterans. Methods. Data from the Military Suicide Research Consortium for N = 6556 individuals (6316 with non-missing suicidal ideation status) were divided into 4 subgroups: civilians, never deployed Service members, previously deployed Service members, and Veterans. Robust Poisson models evaluated the associations between insomnia severity/subtype and current suicidal ideation, with bootstrap mediation models assessing thwarted belongingness as a mediator. Results. A 5-point increase in insomnia severity was associated with a 38% increased risk for current suicidal ideation among civilians, a 56% greater risk among never deployed Service members, an 83% greater risk among previously deployed Service members, and a 37% greater risk among Veterans. Moreover, active Service members showed greater associations between difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep with suicidal ideation than civilians. These associations were independent of covariates and only mediated by thwarted belongingness among Veterans. Conclusions. The relationship between insomnia and suicide is not purely explained by thwarted belongingness except among Veterans. Future research should explore additional psychological and neurobiological mechanisms connecting insomnia and suicidality.US Department of Defense12 month embargo; available online: 27 September 2022This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Racial/ethnic minorities have greater declines in sleep duration with higher risk of cardiometabolic disease: An analysis of the U.S. National Health Interview Survey

•Since 2010, daily sleep duration in the U.S. has decreased 1 min per year.•This decline was significantly greater among Mexican-Hispanic individuals.•Shorter sleep duration is linked to higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases.•Risk of cardiometabolic disease from sleep loss was greater among minority groups. Habitual insufficient sleep may contribute to cardiometabolic disease in the United States, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities. However, there is mixed evidence on secular trends in U.S. sleep duration. Cross-sectional data from 413,417 individuals were acquired from the National Health Interview Survey from 2005–2018. Variables included self-reported sleep duration as well as lifetime diagnosis of hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and pre-diabetes, and obesity. Population-weighted robust Poisson models estimated annual trends in sleep duration and the prevalence risk ratios (PRR) of cardiometabolic disease as a function of sleep duration. Population-based survey. Daily sleep duration decreased -0.62 min ([-0.71, 0.54], p < 0.01) annually from 2005–2018. However, this decline began only after 2010, when sleep duration fell by 1.04 min ([-1.21, -0.86], p < 0.01) each year. This trend varied by race (two-way ANOVA, p = 0.02), such that Mexican Hispanic individuals saw a greater decline (-1.83 [-2.37, -1.30] min per year, p < 0.01) than whites (-0.83 [-1.02, -0.64] min per year, p < 0.01). Additionally, a 1-h loss in daily sleep duration was linked to 4% greater prevalence of hypertension (PRR: 1.04, [1.04, 1.05]), 3% greater prevalence of diabetes (PRR: 1.03 [1.01, 1.05]), and 8% greater prevalence of obesity (PRR: 1.08 [1.07, 1.09]) after adjusting for age, sex, employment, marital status, and survey year. There is a secular decline in U.S. daily sleep duration that is greater among Mexican Hispanic individuals. Moreover, reduced sleep duration is associated with more prevalent cardiometabolic disease

Overexpression screen of chromosome 21 genes reveals modulators of Sonic hedgehog signaling relevant to Down syndrome

Trisomy 21 and mutations in the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway cause overlapping and pleiotropic phenotypes including cerebellar hypoplasia, craniofacial abnormalities, congenital heart defects and Hirschsprung disease. Trisomic cells derived from individuals with Down syndrome possess deficits in SHH signaling, suggesting that overexpression of human chromosome 21 genes may contribute to SHH-associated phenotypes by disrupting normal SHH signaling during development. However, chromosome 21 does not encode any known components of the canonical SHH pathway. Here, we sought to identify chromosome 21 genes that modulate SHH signaling by overexpressing 163 chromosome 21 cDNAs in a series of SHH-responsive mouse cell lines. We confirmed overexpression of trisomic candidate genes using RNA sequencing in the cerebella of Ts65Dn and TcMAC21 mice, model systems for Down syndrome. Our findings indicate that some human chromosome 21 genes, including DYRK1A, upregulate SHH signaling, whereas others, such as HMGN1, inhibit SHH signaling. Individual overexpression of four genes (B3GALT5, ETS2, HMGN1 and MIS18A) inhibits the SHH-dependent proliferation of primary granule cell precursors. Our study prioritizes dosage-sensitive chromosome 21 genes for future mechanistic studies. Identification of the genes that modulate SHH signaling may suggest new therapeutic avenues for ameliorating Down syndrome phenotypes. © 2023. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.Immediate accessThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Social Jetlag and Other Aspects of Sleep Are Linked to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among College Students

Introduction: Disrupted sleep is associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in young adults, but many specific features of sleep continuity and timing have yet to be examined. Additionally, the psychological mechanisms linking sleep to NSSI are unclear. The present study evaluated 14 sleep variables as classifiers of lifetime or recent NSSI and examined potential confounding and mediating factors. Methods: A sample of 885 college students provided measures of sleep continuity (e.g., duration, timing, fragmentation), nightmares, insomnia, and perceived sleep control. Lifetime and past 3-month NSSI were measured using a self-report version of the Columbia Suicide Severity Ratings Scale. Bidirectional stepwise regression identified significant sleep classifiers and subsequent models examined their associations with NSSI after adjusting for covariates and through potential psychological mediators. Results: Only absolute social jetlag was associated with recent NSSI, even after adjusting for covariates, such that each additional hour difference between weekday and weekend sleep schedules was associated with a 17% greater risk of recent NSSI. Nightmares, weekend sleep efficiency, and perceived sleep control were associated with lifetime NSSI, although only weekend sleep efficiency remained associated after adjusting for covariates. Bootstrap mediations identified negative urgency as a partial mediator for recent and lifetime NSSI, and lack of premeditation and perceived burdensomeness as partial mediators for lifetime NSSI. Conclusions: The timing and consistency of young adults’ sleep schedules may be of greater importance to NSSI among college students than insomnia or insufficient sleep. Future studies of sleep and NSSI should include these measures as potential risk factors. HIGHLIGHTS Differences between weekday/weekend sleep timing are linked to recent NSSI. Negative urgency partially mediates poor sleep on recent and lifetime NSSI. Sleep shares a multifaceted relationship with NSSI risk in college students.12 month embargo; published online: 07 April 2022This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Sleep continuity, timing, quality, and disorder are associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among college students

Objective: To evaluate sleep continuity, timing, quality, and disorder in relation to suicidal ideation and attempts among college students. Participants: Eight hundred eighty-five undergraduates aged 18–25 in the southwestern United States. Methods: Participants completed questionnaires on sleep, suicide risk, mental health, and substance use. Differences in sleep variables were compared by lifetime and recent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts using covariate-adjusted and stepwise regression models. Results: A total of 363 (40.1%) individuals reported lifetime suicidal ideation, of whom 172 (19.4%) reported suicidal ideation in the last 3 months and 97 (26.7%) had attempted suicide in their lifetime. Sleep disturbances were prevalent among those with lifetime suicidal ideation or a lifetime suicide attempt. Insomnia was identified as the best predictor of recent suicidal ideation, but this relationship did not survive adjustment for covariates. Conclusions: Sleep continuity, quality, and sleep disorders are broadly associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors among college students.12 month embargo; published online: 03 January 2023This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Chronotype and social support among student athletes: impact on depressive symptoms

Previous studies have shown individuals with evening chronotype to have a greater likelihood for depression (self-reported and clinical ratings), especially in young adults. However, the mechanisms for this relationship remain unknown. Low levels of social support may be a plausible mechanism: young adults with evening chronotypes are awake when others are sleeping, which may lead to feelings of isolation or low support. This study examined links between chronotype, depression, and social support in relationship subtypes within a group of university student athletes. Data were obtained from 189 NCAA Division-I student athletes across all sports. Chronotype was assessed with the Circadian Energy Scale and ranged from −2 (definitely morning type) to +2 (definitely evening type). Depressive symptoms were assessed with Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Social support was assessed with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, which included subscales for Family, Friends, and Significant Other. A subscale for Team was created using the items from the Friends subscale (changing the word “friends” to “teammates”). Regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and minority status. More evening chronotype was associated with higher reported depressive symptoms (p = .018), lower overall perceived social support (p = .001), and lower perceived social support specifically provided by family (p < .0001), friends (p < .0001), and teammates (p = .014). However, more evening chronotype was associated with higher depressive symptoms for higher, but not lower perceived social support from significant other. Moreover, chronotype-by-support interactions on depressive symptoms were observed; the statistical relationship between chronotype and depression was evident only in those with low (but not high) social support from friends and teammates. These data suggest that having a more evening chronotype may be associated with social isolation, and decreased opportunities for interactions with friends and teammates. This may contribute to the long-standing circadian association seen with depression in college student-athletes. Interventions aimed at increasing university support networks may reduce the impact of depression in students self-identifying with later chronotypes and sleep schedules. © 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.National Collegiate Athletic Association12 month embargo; published online: 26 May 2021This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Associations between Insomnia Symptoms and Anxiety Symptoms in Adults in a Community Sample of Southeastern Pennsylvania, USA

Although insomnia is reliably associated with anxiety symptoms, aspects of insomnia may differentially relate to one anxiety symptom versus another. Therefore, treatment for insomnia comorbidity with anxiety might be individually tailored to optimize treatment response. Working from this hypothesis, we analyzed data from a survey of 1007 community-dwelling adults. Insomnia was measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), categorizing items as nighttime disturbances, daytime dysfunction, or self-perceived dissatisfaction. Anxiety symptoms were measured with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item questionnaire (GAD-7). Linear and binomial logistic regression were used and adjusted for covariates. Post hoc forward stepwise analyses determined which components of the insomnia contributed to individual anxiety symptoms. Significant associations between nighttime disturbance (&beta; = 0.88 [0.44, 1.3]), daytime dysfunction (&beta; = 1.30 [0.81, 1.80]), dissatisfaction (&beta; = 1.20 [0.60, 1.7]) and total GAD-7 score were maintained after adjusting for covariates. Nighttime disturbance was associated with excess worrying, restlessness, irritability, and fear of catastrophe. Daytime dysfunction was associated with all symptoms except for fear of catastrophe, and self-perceived dissatisfaction was associated with all symptoms except irritability. Stepwise analyses revealed that daytime dysfunction and dissatisfaction were most consistently related to anxiety symptoms. Greater attention should be paid to daytime dysfunction in patients with insomnia and anxiety, as improving daytime functioning may improve anxiety

Onset insomnia and insufficient sleep duration are associated with suicide ideation in university students and athletes

Background: Previous work has shown that poor sleep is a prospective risk factor for suicide in clinical populations and might contribute to risk in the general population. The present study evaluated whether sleep distress, onset insomnia, and insufficient sleep are associated with suicide ideation in university students and athletes participating in the 2011-2014 National College Health Assessment (NCHA; n = 113,185). Methods: In the NCHA survey, students self-reported the presence or absence of suicide ideation within the past 12 months. SLEEP DISTRESS was assessed with an item indicating that "sleep difficulties" were "particularly traumatic or difficult to handle." ONSET INSOMNIA was assessed as at least 3 nights per week where survey participants reported an "extremely hard time falling asleep." INSUFFICIENT SLEEP was operationalized as the number of days per week where the participants felt they did not get "enough sleep to feel rested." All variables were yes/no except INSUFFICIENT SLEEP, which was categorized as 0-1 (reference), 2-3, 4-5, or 6-7 nights. Binary logistic regression analyses examined suicide ideation as the outcome and sleep variable as a predictor, adjusted for age, sex, year in school, recent depressed mood, and survey year. Associations within student-athletes were likewise assessed. Results: 7.4% of students reported suicide ideation within the past 12 months. In adjusted models, this was significantly associated with SLEEP DISTRESS (OR = 3.01, 95% CI [2.86, 3.16], p < 0.0001), ONSET INSOMNIA (OR = 1.95, 95% CI [1.86, 2.04], p < 0.0001), as well as INSUFFICIENT SLEEP (4-5 nights, OR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.28, 1.56], p < 0.0001; 6-7 nights, OR = 1.92, 95% CI [1.74, 2.13], p < 0.0001). Although suicide ideation was less common among athletes, ORs were similar for athletes for all sleep variables of interest. Conclusion: Sleep distress, onset insomnia, and insufficient sleep were all strongly related to suicide ideation among university students. These relationships were the same among collegiate athletes, even though this group reported less overall suicide ideation. Our findings suggest that university students may benefit from educational materials linking sleep disruption to maladaptive thinking and suicide ideation.12 month embargo; available online 24 May 2020This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]