TY - JOUR
T1 - Cognitive performance and cardiovascular markers of hyperarousal in primary insomnia
AU - Covassin, Naima
AU - de Zambotti, Massimiliano
AU - Sarlo, Michela
AU - De Min Tona, Giuliano
AU - Sarasso, Simone
AU - Stegagno, Luciano
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) .
Copyright:
Copyright 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2011/4
Y1 - 2011/4
N2 - The purpose of the present study was to assess differences in cardiovascular activity and cognitive performance between insomniacs and good sleepers. Sixteen undergraduates participated in the study, eight insomniacs (age 22.9 ± 2.4) enrolled in accord with DSM-IV criteria for primary insomnia, and eight good sleepers (24.8 ± 2.7) were controls. The task employed, Stop Signal Task, assesses motor inhibition processes and was administered in two sessions, before and after a night of polysomnographic recording. During task performance, cardiovascular measures such as heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), pre-ejection period (PEP) and left ventricular ejection time (LVET) were continuously recorded by means of impedance cardiography. Performance results showed prolonged Stop Signal Delay (SSD) in the morning in both groups and slower Stop Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) in insomniacs compared with good sleepers, while no effects were observed for performance accuracy. Analyses performed on cardiovascular parameters revealed higher HR and lower LVET values in the insomnia group as compared to healthy controls in the evening. PEP, an index inversely related to sympathetic beta-adrenergic activity, was continuously reduced in insomniacs, indicating constantly enhanced sympathetic activation. These findings suggest a deficit of motor inhibition control in insomnia, matched with high levels of cardiovascular arousal. Overall, our results support the notion that insomniacs suffer from both cognitive deficits and a hyperarousal disorder affecting somatic activity, that contribute to diurnal complaints often referred in addition to sleep disruption.
AB - The purpose of the present study was to assess differences in cardiovascular activity and cognitive performance between insomniacs and good sleepers. Sixteen undergraduates participated in the study, eight insomniacs (age 22.9 ± 2.4) enrolled in accord with DSM-IV criteria for primary insomnia, and eight good sleepers (24.8 ± 2.7) were controls. The task employed, Stop Signal Task, assesses motor inhibition processes and was administered in two sessions, before and after a night of polysomnographic recording. During task performance, cardiovascular measures such as heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), pre-ejection period (PEP) and left ventricular ejection time (LVET) were continuously recorded by means of impedance cardiography. Performance results showed prolonged Stop Signal Delay (SSD) in the morning in both groups and slower Stop Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) in insomniacs compared with good sleepers, while no effects were observed for performance accuracy. Analyses performed on cardiovascular parameters revealed higher HR and lower LVET values in the insomnia group as compared to healthy controls in the evening. PEP, an index inversely related to sympathetic beta-adrenergic activity, was continuously reduced in insomniacs, indicating constantly enhanced sympathetic activation. These findings suggest a deficit of motor inhibition control in insomnia, matched with high levels of cardiovascular arousal. Overall, our results support the notion that insomniacs suffer from both cognitive deficits and a hyperarousal disorder affecting somatic activity, that contribute to diurnal complaints often referred in addition to sleep disruption.
KW - Cardiovascular
KW - Hyperarousal
KW - Impedance cardiography
KW - Motor inhibition
KW - Primary insomnia
KW - Stop signal task
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2011.02.005
DO - 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2011.02.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 21333698
AN - SCOPUS:79953076114
SN - 0167-8760
VL - 80
SP - 79
EP - 86
JO - International Journal of Psychophysiology
JF - International Journal of Psychophysiology
IS - 1
ER -