Florida International University Links Sleep Disorders to Thalamus Changes
Research reveals structural brain differences associated with various sleep disorders, highlighting the importance of understanding sleep's impact on cognitive functions.
Researchers at Florida International University (FIU) analyzed 57 neuroimaging studies of adults and found an association between various sleep disorders and structural differences in the brain. As reported by sciencedaily.com, the results were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The scientists compared two broad groups of sleep disorders: dyssomnias and parasomnias. Dyssomnias included conditions such as insomnia and sleep apnea, which interfere with falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or achieving restorative sleep. Parasomnias include sleepwalking, nightmare disorder, and night terrors, characterized by unusual events or behaviors during sleep.
In both groups of disorders, the authors of the analysis found an association with a reduction in the thalamus, a deep brain structure involved in information processing, maintaining attention, and complex thinking. The changes also affected the pulvinar, a part of the thalamus that helps direct attention to important information and provides cognitive control.
These areas are connected to larger brain networks that assist in concentration, decision-making, and environmental responses. The researchers noted that differences in these systems may explain slower reaction times, difficulties with decision-making, and a greater likelihood of errors or accidents in individuals with sleep disorders.
In people with parasomnias, the analysis also found changes in the posterior cingulate cortex, an area associated with motivation, decision-making, and emotion regulation. This may be linked to difficulties with mood, behavior, or emotional control that sometimes accompany sleepwalking, recurrent nightmares, and night terrors.
However, the scientists did not identify a single consistent pattern of structural changes characteristic only of dyssomnias. The study established an association between sleep disorders and differences in brain structure but does not prove a causal relationship. The team plans to separately study sleepwalking and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder to further investigate these connections.
