The Effects of Stress Films on Dream Affect and on Respiration and Eye‐Movement Activity During Rapid‐Eye‐Movement Sleep

Goodenough, Donald R.; Witkin, Herman A.; Koulack, David; Cohen, Hennig

doi:10.1111/j.1469-8986.1975.tb01298.x

Cited by 82 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…With this background, it is tempting to relate the particular benefit for emotional memory from late retention sleep to enhanced amygdalar activity accompanying the extended REM sleep epochs of this period. This conclusion is also supported by several other studies in animals and humans suggesting that patterns of emotional arousal induced during learning become reactivated during REM sleep, thereby strengthening memory traces and connectivity within respective neural networks (Goodenough et al 1975;Hennevin et al 1998;Maho and Hennevin 1999). In the case of emotional declarative memories, this influence could be mediated via modulatory influences of the amygdala on the hippocampal memory system Hamann et al 1999;Roozendaal 2000).…”

Section: Emotional Memory and Rem Sleepsupporting

confidence: 76%

Emotional Memory Formation Is Enhanced across Sleep Intervals with High Amounts of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

Wagner¹,

Gais²,

Born³

2001

Learn. Mem.

529

387

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Recent studies indicated a selective activation during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep of the amygdala known to play a decisive role in the processing of emotional stimuli. This study compared memory retention of emotional versus neutral text material over intervals covering either early sleep known to be dominated by nonREM slow wave sleep (SWS) or late sleep, in which REM sleep is dominant. Two groups of men were tested across 3-h periods of early and late sleep (sleep group) or corresponding retention intervals filled with wakefulness (wake group). Sleep was recorded polysomnographically. Cortisol concentrations in saliva were monitored at acquisition and retrieval testing. As expected, the amount of REM sleep was about three times greater during late than during early retention sleep, whereas a reversed pattern was observed for SWS distribution (P < 0.001). Sleep improved retention, compared with the effects of wake intervals (P < 0.02). However, this effect was substantial only in the late night (P < 0.005), during which retention was generally worse than during the early night (P < 0.02). Late sleep particularly enhanced memory for emotional texts. This effect was highly significant in comparison with memory for neutral texts (P < 0.01) and in comparison with memory after late and early wake intervals (P < 0.001). Cortisol concentration differed between early and late retention intervals but not between sleep and wake conditions. Results are consonant with a supportive function of REM sleep predominating late sleep for the formation of emotional memory in humans.It is well established that sleep has a facilitating effect on memory formation in animals and humans (e.g., Jenkins and Dallenbach 1924;Smith 1985Smith , 1995Stickgold et al. 2000). However, the physiological mechanisms of this effect are still unclear. Specifically, there is an ongoing controversy concerning the differential contribution of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and slow wave sleep (SWS) to memory consolidation. In particular, human studies provided mixed results, some indicating a beneficial effect of REM sleep on memory (Empson and Clarke 1970;Lewin and Glaubman 1975;Tilley and Empson 1978) whereas others suggested SWS to be critical for memory formation (Yaroush et al. 1971;Barrett and Ekstrand 1972;Fowler et al. 1973;Ekstrand 1977). The divergent outcomes appear to reflect differences in the methods used for investigating memory formation during sleep and in the type of memory examined. The most commonly used approach in the study of sleepassociated memory formation is the REM sleep deprivation paradigm, in which subjects are awakened whenever polysomnographic recordings indicate signs of REM sleep. In control conditions, awakenings are induced in nonREM sleep. Yet the REM sleep-deprivation paradigm has been subject to profound criticism (Horne and McGrath 1984; Vertes and Eastman, in press). Compared with other sleep stages, frequent arousal from REM sleep induces serious emotional and cognitive disturbances. These disturbances impa...

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Section: Emotional Memory and Rem Sleepsupporting

confidence: 76%

Emotional Memory Formation Is Enhanced across Sleep Intervals with High Amounts of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

Wagner¹,

Gais²,

Born³

2001

Learn. Mem.

529

387

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…44,46 Other studies note more global changes to include increased sleep latency, sleep fragmentation, nocturnal awakenings, and periodic limb movements. 41,43,45,46 The most consistent PSG finding is an increase in overnight awakenings. 49,50 Interestingly, when comparing PSG variables in patients with NDO versus TRN, those with TRN had improved SE, decreased WASO, and increased stage N3 sleep.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…There are a number of small studies that have reported variable PSG characteristics in nightmare sufferers. [43][44][45][46][47][48][49] REM-specific abnormalities to include absence of early REM periods, increased REM sleep latency, and increased REM periods, as well as NREM changes to include reduced slow wave sleep, have been reported. 44,46 Other studies note more global changes to include increased sleep latency, sleep fragmentation, nocturnal awakenings, and periodic limb movements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nightmares in United States Military Personnel With Sleep Disturbances

Creamer

Brock

Matsangas

et al. 2018

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine

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Study Objectives: Sleep disturbances are common in United States military personnel. Despite their exposure to combat and trauma, little is known about nightmares in this population. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and associated clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of nightmares in United States military personnel with sleep disturbances. Methods: Retrospective review of 500 active duty United States military personnel who underwent a sleep medicine evaluation and polysomnography at our sleep center. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Addendum were used to characterize clinically significant nightmares. Subjective and objective sleep attributes were compared between groups. Results: At least weekly nightmares were present in 31.2%; yet, only 3.9% reported nightmares as a reason for evaluation. Trauma-related nightmares occurred in 60% of those patients with nightmares. Patients with nightmares had increased sleep onset latency (SOL) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency (mean SOL/REM sleep latency 16.6/145 minutes, P = .02 and P = .01 respectively) compared to those without (mean SOL/REM sleep latency 12.5/126 minutes I NTRO DUCTI O NNightmares are defined by repeated occurrences of extended, extremely dysphoric, and well-remembered dreams that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning. 1 Occasional nightmares are part of a normal adaptive response to life stressors and are not pathologic, with 85% of adults reporting at least one nightmare per year. 2 The prevalence of clinically significant nightmares, which occur at least once per week, is estimated between 0.9% and 6.8%. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] In the largest study to date (69,813 adults), the prevalence of nightmares was 3.5% in men and 4.8% in women. 10 Participants from the World War II generation had a significantly higher prevalence of 7.2% in men and 7% in women. Nightmares are more common among patients with sleep disturbances, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder However, most research evaluating sleep disorders in active duty military personnel has focused on insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and PTSD, noting that a recent study focusing on OSA and PTSD did not evaluate nightmares. [18][19][20] Following traumatic experiences, sleep disturbances are frequently reported, including trauma-related nightmares (TRN). 21 The nightmares of trauma survivors tend to be more severe and distressing than idiopathic nightmares. 1,3 Though not exclusive to PTSD, TRN have been referred to as the "hallmark" of this disorder, with rates as high as 90%. 22,23 Addressing nightmares as a distinct sleep disorder following a BRIEF SUMMARY Current Knowledge/Study Rationale: The spectrum of sleep disorders in military personnel is varied and complicated by the presence of comorbidities and psychological disorders. Currently, little is known regarding nightmares, especially trauma-related nig...

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“…Since Agnew, Webb, and Williams (1966) reported and defined the first-night effect, several researchers have described its association with reduced TST, poor SE, less REM sleep, increased SL, and increased WASO (Aber et al, 1989;Curcio, Ferrara, Piergianni, Fratello, & De Gennaro, 2004;Le Bon et al, 2000;Li et al, 2004;Scholle et al, 2003;Toussaint et al, 1997 Acute experimental psychological stress in healthy participants had a consistent effect on REM sleep in early studies. In the 1960s and 1970s, many researchers reported that presleep stimulation influenced REM activity and awakenings (Baekeland, Koulack, & Lasky, 1968;Cluydts & Visser, 1980;Cohen, 1975;Goodenough, Witkin, Koulack, & Cohen, 1975). Pre-sleep stress, such as an aversive film (Baekeland et al, 1968;Cluydts & Visser, 1980;Goodenough et al, 1975;Lauer, Riemann, Lund, & Berger, 1987) or impersonal treatment (Cohen, 1975), was associated with increased frequency of rapid eye movements (REM density; Goodenough et al, 1975;Lauer et al, 1987), number of awakenings (Baekeland et al, 1968;Cluydts & Visser, 1980), and longer SL (Goodenough et al, 1975).…”

Section: Experimental Stress On Sleepmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the 1960s and 1970s, many researchers reported that presleep stimulation influenced REM activity and awakenings (Baekeland, Koulack, & Lasky, 1968;Cluydts & Visser, 1980;Cohen, 1975;Goodenough, Witkin, Koulack, & Cohen, 1975). Pre-sleep stress, such as an aversive film (Baekeland et al, 1968;Cluydts & Visser, 1980;Goodenough et al, 1975;Lauer, Riemann, Lund, & Berger, 1987) or impersonal treatment (Cohen, 1975), was associated with increased frequency of rapid eye movements (REM density; Goodenough et al, 1975;Lauer et al, 1987), number of awakenings (Baekeland et al, 1968;Cluydts & Visser, 1980), and longer SL (Goodenough et al, 1975).More recently, Koulack, Prevost, and De Koninck (1985) gave an intellectually challenging test to 16 male university students; the suggestion of inferiority led to longer SL and lower REM density than at baseline. Germain, Buysse, Ombao, Kupfer, and Hall (2003) reported that acute experimental psychological stress reduced rapid eye movement counts during the last REM sleep period in healthy participants when compared to non-stressed control participants.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Psychosocial Stress on Sleep: A Review of Polysomnographic Evidence

Kim

Dimsdale

2007

Behavioral Sleep Medicine

352

250

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This systematic review examines the effect of diverse psychosocial stressors on polysomnographic measures of sleep. Sixty-three articles were located and categorized in terms of the types of stressors imposed. Experimental stress resulted in fairly consistent changes: decreases in slow wave sleep, REM sleep, and sleep efficiency (SE), as well as increases in awakenings. Data were limited in terms of response to non-experimental stressors, except for the case of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on sleep, where a number of reports suggest that PTSD patients have increased awakenings and decreased SE. Future research needs to define stress more precisely in terms of duration and severity and to measure its impacts on sleep in populations that differ in terms of age, comorbid illness, gender, and so forth. Without such fine-grained analyses, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about this important area.Sleep researchers traditionally have focused on primary sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or periodic limb movement disorder; but common knowledge has it that the stresses of daily life can perturb even healthy sleep. As Mason (1968) described, psychological stressors are potent stimuli for physiological stress responses. Most studies on psychosocial stress and its physiological effects on sleep are based solely on subjective reports. However, these subjective reports of sleep are not sufficient to evaluate physiological sleep changes as measured by polysomnography (PSG; Akerstedt, Hume, Minors, & Waterhouse, 1994;Schneider-Helmert & Kumar, 1995). What really happens in sleep physiology after exposure to stressors? Although the gold standard of measurement of sleep is PSG, there are relatively little data concerning the effects of ordinary or severe stress on polysomnographically examined sleep. This article systematically reviews the diverse literature in this area.Stress is notorious for being difficult to define. It encompasses all kinds of stimuli of varying amounts of aversiveness and duration (Dimsdale, Irwin, Keefe, & Stein, 2005). Kecklund and Akerstedt (2004b) grouped stressors conceptionally into physical versus psychological or social, acute versus chronic, and high intensity versus low intensity.Copyright © Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Correspondence should be addressed to Joel E. Dimsdale, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman D., La Jolla, CA 92093-0804. jdimsdale@ucsd.edu. NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptBehav Sleep Med. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2014 December 15. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptAlthough there are numerous animal models of social stress, it is still challenging to generalize psychosocial stress responses in animals to those in humans. This review focuses on psychosocial stressors; other types of stressors such as environmental manipulations (e.g., temperature), exercise, or intentionally imposed sleep disruption are not covered in this article.It is possible that different types...

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The Effects of Stress Films on Dream Affect and on Respiration and Eye‐Movement Activity During Rapid‐Eye‐Movement Sleep

Cited by 82 publications

References 22 publications

Emotional Memory Formation Is Enhanced across Sleep Intervals with High Amounts of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

Emotional Memory Formation Is Enhanced across Sleep Intervals with High Amounts of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep

Nightmares in United States Military Personnel With Sleep Disturbances

The Effect of Psychosocial Stress on Sleep: A Review of Polysomnographic Evidence

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