REM theta activity predicts re-experiencing symptoms after exposure to a traumatic film.
Emotional memory
Intrusive memories
Memory consolidation
Posttraumatic stress disorder
REM sleep
Journal
Sleep medicine
ISSN: 1878-5506
Titre abrégé: Sleep Med
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 100898759
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
02 2019
02 2019
Historique:
received:
16
08
2018
revised:
17
10
2018
accepted:
31
10
2018
pubmed:
18
12
2018
medline:
11
3
2020
entrez:
18
12
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Extensive empirical evidence indicates that sleep plays an active role in memory consolidation. Moreover, sleep has been found to preferentially enhance emotional memories and may modulate affective reactions to previously encountered stimuli. Notably, recent findings suggest that disruptions of sleep-related memory processing could be involved in posttraumatic symptom development such that sleep disturbances may accelerate symptoms of intrusive re-experiencing. Based on this emerging evidence, we investigated whether an analogue traumatic event would result in immediate impairments of sleep quality in a group of healthy, robust sleepers. In addition, we examined associations between a specific oscillatory correlate of emotional memory consolidation processes (REM theta activity) and subsequent analogue PTSD symptoms. Thirty-three healthy participants entered the study and were exposed to either "traumatic" or neutral films. Thereafter, participants were subjected to an 8.5-hour-long nocturnal sleep opportunity under standardized laboratory conditions including full-night polysomnographic recordings. Ambulatory intrusive memories and subjective symptom ratings were assessed during a period of three consecutive days. Our results provide partial support for impaired sleep quality after exposure to a traumatic film. Correlation analyses further reveal that a longer REM sleep duration after "traumatic" exposure predicts reduced analogue PTSD symptoms. Critically, REM theta activity selectively predicts lower re-experiencing symptoms. As previous findings suggest that REM theta activity is reduced in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, our findings provide a new perspective on the functional role of REM sleep in trauma memory processing.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Extensive empirical evidence indicates that sleep plays an active role in memory consolidation. Moreover, sleep has been found to preferentially enhance emotional memories and may modulate affective reactions to previously encountered stimuli. Notably, recent findings suggest that disruptions of sleep-related memory processing could be involved in posttraumatic symptom development such that sleep disturbances may accelerate symptoms of intrusive re-experiencing.
METHODS
Based on this emerging evidence, we investigated whether an analogue traumatic event would result in immediate impairments of sleep quality in a group of healthy, robust sleepers. In addition, we examined associations between a specific oscillatory correlate of emotional memory consolidation processes (REM theta activity) and subsequent analogue PTSD symptoms. Thirty-three healthy participants entered the study and were exposed to either "traumatic" or neutral films. Thereafter, participants were subjected to an 8.5-hour-long nocturnal sleep opportunity under standardized laboratory conditions including full-night polysomnographic recordings. Ambulatory intrusive memories and subjective symptom ratings were assessed during a period of three consecutive days.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide partial support for impaired sleep quality after exposure to a traumatic film. Correlation analyses further reveal that a longer REM sleep duration after "traumatic" exposure predicts reduced analogue PTSD symptoms. Critically, REM theta activity selectively predicts lower re-experiencing symptoms. As previous findings suggest that REM theta activity is reduced in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, our findings provide a new perspective on the functional role of REM sleep in trauma memory processing.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30557840
pii: S1389-9457(18)30561-6
doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2018.10.030
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
142-152Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.