Uninterrupted sleep has been linked to improved mental and physical health, while sleep deprivation has been linked to chronic health problems. But, did you know that a night without sleep may sometimes help with depression? Yes, you heard that right. A night of complete sleep deprivation may help improve mood in some healthy people and those with depression, a new study finds.
in the latest studyResearchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found that after a night of total sleep deprivation, the amygdala, a key region of the brain affected by depression, has increased connectivity to the brain. anterior cingulate cortex, a brain region associated with emotional expression, awareness, pain management, and attentional allocation. The research team found that an enhanced amygdala-cingulate circuit contributes to adverse emotion regulation in both healthy and clinical populations.
“Here, we show that one night of complete sleep deprivation enhances amygdala-anterior cingulate cortex connectivity, which is associated with better mood in both healthy individuals and those with depression. This study highlights the amygdala-cingulate circuit Critical role in regulating adverse mood, both in healthy and depressed individuals. Healthy and clinical populations. Our findings may have implications for the development of rapid, unique antidepressant interventions,” said the researchers wrote.
The sleep-deprivation study was conducted over five consecutive days in 38 healthy individuals and 30 patients with major depression, as well as 16 participants who were allowed to sleep uninterrupted. After a sleepless night, the participants underwent rs-fMRI scans to measure the functional structure of the brain. They were then allowed two nights of restful sleep, and the scan was repeated.
Most participants showed mood deterioration immediately after sleep deprivation. However, mood improved in 43 percent of the depressed participants, while mood worsened or remained unchanged for the remainder.
After a night of restful sleep, the mood of 20 participants with major depressive disorder improved, while the mood of the rest either worsened or remained unchanged.
The researchers also found that healthy participants had increased amygdala and DN (dorsal connectivity)-related connectivity. This study highlights the importance of the amygdala-cingulate circuit in the treatment of depression and provides a potential target for antidepressant intervention.
“These findings support a critical role for the amygdala-cingulate circuit in mood regulation in both healthy and depressed populations, and suggest that rapid antidepressant treatment may target enhanced amygdala-ACC connectivity,” the researchers said.
Published by Medicaldaily.com