Review of the role of the endogenous opioid and melanocortin systems in the restless legs syndrome.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is responsive to opioid, dopaminergic and iron-based treatments. Receptor blocker studies in RLS patients suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of opioids is specific to the opioid receptor and mediated indirectly through the dopaminergic system. An RLS autopsy study reveals decreases in endogenous opioids, ß-endorphin and perhaps Met-enkephalin in the thalamus of RLS patients. A total opioid receptor knock-out (mu, delta and kappa) and a mu-opioid receptor knock-out mouse model of RLS show circadian motor changes akin to RLS and, although both models show sensory changes, the mu-opioid receptor knock mouse shows circadian sensory changes closest to those seen in idiopathic RLS. Both models show changes in striatal dopamine, anaemia and low serum iron. However, only in the total receptor knock-out mouse do we see the decreases in serum ferritin that are normally found in RLS. There are also decreases in serum iron when wild-type mice are administered a mu-opioid receptor blocker. In addition, the mu-opioid receptor knock-out mouse also shows increases in striatal zinc paralleling similar changes in RLS. Adrenocorticotropic hormone and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone are derived from pro-opiomelanocortin as is ß-endorphin. However, they cause RLS-like symptoms and periodic limb movements when injected intraventricularly into rats. These results collectively suggest that an endogenous opioid deficiency is pathogenetic to RLS and that an altered melanocortin system may be causal to RLS as well.

Assessment of psychometric performance for the Chinese version of the Brief Inventory of Perceived Stress integrating exploratory graph analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to evaluate measurement properties of the Chinese version of the Brief Inventory of Perceived Stress (BIPS-C) and confirm possible solutions for measuring the constructs underlying perceived stress. METHODS: A total of 1356 community residents enrolled and were randomly split into two halves. The first half was used to explore the underlying constructs of the BIPS-C by exploratory graph analysis (EGA) and the second half was used to compare and confirm the constructs by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: The EGA identified a one-factor model of the BIPS-C with an accuracy of 99.3%. One-factor, three-factor, second-order, and bifactor models were compared by CFAs. The bifactor model with one general and three specific factors was found to be the most adequate [comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.990; Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.979; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.058] and was superior to the other models. The related bifactor indices showed a stronger existence of the general factor. The bifactor model of the BIPS-C also showed adequate internal consistency with McDonald's omega and omega subscales ranging from moderate to strong (0.677-0.869). CONCLUSION: The BIPS-C demonstrates sufficient measurement properties for assessing general perceived stress.

Longitudinal measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-Four in China.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety symptoms among medical students are often a concern. The Patient Health Questionnaire-Four (PHQ-4), an important tool for depression and anxiety screening, is commonly used and easy to administer. This study aimed to assess and update the longitudinal measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the simplified Chinese version. METHODS: A three-wave longitudinal survey was conducted among healthcare students using the PHQ-4. Structural validity was based on one-factor, two-factor, and second-order factor models, construct validity was based on the Self-Rated Health Questionnaire (SRHQ), Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SQQ), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and longitudinal measurement invariance (LMI), internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were based on structural consistency across three time points. RESULTS: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that two-factor model was the best fit, and LMI was supported at three time points. Inter-factor, factor-total, and construct validity correlations of the PHQ-4 were acceptable. Additionally, Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and the intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated acceptable/moderate to excellent reliability of the PHQ-4. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds new longitudinal evidence that the Chinese version of the PHQ-4 has promising LMI and psychometric properties. Such data lends confidence to the routine and the expanded use of the PHQ-4 for routine screening of depression and anxiety in Chinese healthcare students.

A longitudinal examination of the measurement properties and invariance of the Sleep Condition Indicator in Chinese healthcare students.

BACKGROUND: The Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI), an insomnia measurement tool based on the updated Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria with sound psychometric properties when applied in various populations, was evaluated here among healthcare students longitudinally, to demonstrate its measurement properties and invariance in this particularly high-risk population. METHODS: Healthcare students of a Chinese university were recruited into this two-wave longitudinal study, completing the simplified Chinese version of the SCI (SCI-SC), Chinese Regularity, Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, Duration (RU_SATED-C) scale, Chinese Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4-C), and sociodemographic variables questionnaire (Q-SV) between September and November 2022. Structural validity, measurement invariance (MI), convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the SCI-SC were examined. Subgroups of gender, age, home location, part-time job, physical exercise, and stress-coping strategy were surveyed twice to test cross-sectional and longitudinal MI. RESULTS: We identified 343 valid responses (62.9% female, mean age = 19.650 ± 1.414 years) with a time interval of seven days. The two-factor structure was considered satisfactory (comparative fit index = 0.953-0.989, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.931-0.984, root means square error of approximation = 0.040-0.092, standardized root mean square residual = 0.039-0.054), which mostly endorsed strict invariance except for part-time job subgroups, hence establishing longitudinal invariance. The SCI-SC presented acceptable convergent validity with the RU_SATED-C scale (r ≥ 0.500), discriminant validity with the PHQ-4-C (0.300 ≤ r < 0.500), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.811-0.835, McDonald's omega = 0.805-0.832), and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.829). CONCLUSION: The SCI-SC is an appropriate screening instrument available for assessing insomnia symptoms among healthcare students, and the promising measurement properties provide additional evidence about validity and reliability for detecting insomnia in healthcare students.

Reliability of parental reporting of child snoring in children referred for obstructive sleep apnea.

Despite the high number of studies based on subjective reports of snoring, self-reported snoring has hardly been validated at all. As there is no "gold-standard" for objective snoring measurements, studies must evaluate whether the presence of snoring based on parental judgement is linked to objective measurements of nasal and/or pharyngeal obstruction in children referred for obstructive sleep apnea. A total of 146 children (median age 11 years) underwent polysomnography (with snoring recording using nasal cannula signal), acoustic rhinometry and pharyngometry, while their parents filled out the Spruyt-Gozal questionnaire assessing both frequency and loudness of subjective snoring. Three categories were further differentiated (null, low and high) for both frequency and loudness. The apnea-hypopnea index was significantly different in the three groups for both frequency (p = 0.04) and loudness (p = 0.01) of subjective snoring. Children in the low or high groups (frequency or loudness), compared with those in the null group, experienced a decline in both pharyngeal (sitting and supine positions) and nasopharyngeal (supine position) volumes (frequency, pharynx sitting: p = 0.03; supine: 0.005 and nasopharynx: p = 0.002; loudness, p = 0.03; p = 0.007 and p = 0.03; three group comparisons). Objective snoring frequency during the night obtained with cannula was weakly related to loudness of subjective snoring but not to subjective snoring frequency during the week, and was biased by nasal obstruction. In conclusion, our study showed that parental assessment of snoring is related to a reduction in both pharyngeal and nasopharyngeal volumes in snorers, arguing for the adequacy of their evaluation of both snoring frequency and loudness.

Developing a serious game for gaze stability rehabilitation in children with vestibular hypofunction.

BACKGROUND: Children with vestibular hypofunction (VH) may have gaze instability, balance disorders, and delayed postural-motor development. Gaze stabilization exercises (GSE) are designed to improve dynamic visual acuity (DVA). We aimed to assess the acceptability of a serious game prototype called Kid Gaze Rehab (KGR) designed to implement GSE training in children with VH, combined with traditional vestibular rehabilitation. Effects on DVA and motor performance were also analyzed. METHODS: Twelve children (6 to 9 years old) were included. Sessions were held at the hospital twice a week, for 5 weeks. An adapted French version of The Child Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Face Scale Pain-Revised (FPS-R) were used to assess pain in the cervical region and undesirable side effects after each session. Vestibular and motor function parameters (active and passive DVA and Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition, MABC-2) were assessed before and after the training. RESULTS: All children included completed the 10 sessions. The FPS-R visual analog scale and SSQ showed good cervical tolerance and no oculomotor or vegetative adverse effects nor spatial disorientation. After training, active DVA scores were significantly improved for the right, left, and up directions (p < 0.05). Passive DVA scores were significantly improved for the left and down directions (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). MABC-2 scores were improved in the balance and ball skill sections (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: An innovative pediatric training method, the use of a dedicated serious game for gaze stabilization was well-tolerated as a complement to conventional vestibular rehabilitation in children with VH. Moreover, both DVA and motor performance were found to improve in the study sample. Although replication studies are still needed, serious game-based training in children with VH could represent a promising rehabilitation approach for years to come. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by an Institutional Review Board (local ethics committee, CPP Sud-Est IV, ID 2013-799). The study protocol was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04353115).

Morphological and Age-Related Changes in the Narcolepsy Brain.

Morphological changes in the cortex of narcolepsy patients were investigated by surface-based morphometry analysis in this study. Fifty-one type 1 narcolepsy patients and 60 demographically group-matched healthy controls provided resting-state functional and high-resolution 3T anatomical magnetic resonance imaging scans. Vertex-level cortical thickness (CT), gyrification, and voxel-wise functional connectivity were calculated. Adolescent narcolepsy patients showed decreased CT in bilateral frontal cortex and left precuneus. Adolescent narcolepsy demonstrated increased gyrification in left occipital lobe, left precuneus, and right fusiform but decreased gyrification in left postcentral gyrus, whereas adult narcolepsy exhibited increased gyrification in left temporal lobe and right frontal cortex. Furthermore, sleepiness severity was associated with altered CT and gyrification. Increased gyrification was associated with reduced long-range functional connectivity. In adolescent patients, those with more severe sleepiness showed increased right postcentral gyrification. Decreased frontal and occipital gyrification was found in cases with hallucination. In adult patients, a wide range of regions showed reduced gyrification in those with adolescence-onset compared adult-onset narcolepsy patients. Particularly the frontal lobes showed altered brain morphology, being a thinner cortex and more gyri. The impact of narcolepsy on age-related brain morphological changes may remain from adolescence to young adulthood, and it was especially exacerbated in adolescence.

Sleep problems in Rett syndrome animal models: A systematic review.

Due to the discovery of Rett Syndrome (RTT) genetic mutations, animal models have been developed. Sleep research in RTT animal models may unravel novel neural mechanisms for this severe neurodevelopmental heritable rare disease. In this systematic literature review we summarize the findings on sleep research of 13 studies in animal models of RTT. We found disturbed efficacy and continuity of sleep in all genetically mutated models of mice, cynomolgus monkeys, and Drosophila. Models presented highly fragmented sleep with distinct differences in 24-hr sleep/wake cyclicity and circadian arrhythmicity. Overall, animal models mimic sleep complaints reported in individuals with RTT. However, contrary to human studies, in mutant mice, attenuated sleep delta waves, and sleep apneas in non-rapid eye movement sleep were reported. Future studies may focus on sleep structure and EEG alterations, potential central mechanisms involved in sleep fragmentation and the occurrence of sleep apnea across different sleep stages. Given that locomotor dysfunction is characteristic of individuals with RTT, studies may consider to integrate its potential impact on the behavioral analysis of sleep.

Combined effects of weight change trajectories and eating behaviors on childhood adiposity status: A birth cohort study.

Previous studies have suggested that infant rapid weight change can be associated with an increased weight later in life. However, the weight change trajectory in early life over time and which childhood lifestyle behaviors may modify the risk of rapid weight change have not been characterized. Using our ongoing birth cohort study, we have addressed these issues. Nine follow-up time points (birth, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months) were used to calculate the change between two adjacent weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ-change), and then WAZ-change trajectories were defined via group-based trajectory modeling. The solitary, independent and combined effects of WAZ-change trajectories and each lifestyle factor (eating behaviors, physical activity, media exposure time and total sleep duration) on childhood adiposity measures at age 4 years were determined using multivariate regression analysis. Overall, 84 (38%) children had a steady growth trajectory from birth to 4 years, while the other 137 (62%) children had an early infancy rapid growth trajectory, particularly in the first three months. Compared to children with steady growth, children with early infancy rapid growth had a significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, and subcutaneous fat. Moreover, weight change trajectory and three eating behaviors (i.e. food responsiveness, satiety responsiveness and food fussiness), not only had independent effects, but also combined (synergistic) effects on the majority of adiposity measures. Our results extend the current literature and provide a potentially valuable model to aid clinicians and health professionals in designing early-life interventions targeting specific populations, specific ages and specific lifestyle behaviors to prevent childhood overweight/obesity.

Non-pharmacological management of problematic sleeping in children with developmental disabilities.

AIM: Sleep is important for underlying neural plasticity, and children with developmental disabilities suffer behavioural, emotional, cognitive, and sensory-motor issues that affect their wake and sleep states. Problematic sleeping can be hypothesized to have adverse effects on both of these areas in children with developmental disabilities. With this review, we aim to provide a benchmark in managing problematic sleeping in children with developmental disabilities. METHOD: A literature search was conducted and data on the study descriptives, patient characteristics, study design, study-related factors, criteria applied to operationalize sleep and developmental disability, and sleep 'management' were collected. Each management strategy was tabulated and analysed. RESULTS: We identified 90 studies involving 1460 children with developmental disabilities, of whom 61.6% were male. The highest proportion of studies, almost half, were in children with syndromes (44.4%), followed by studies in children with intellectual disabilities (18.9%). Non-pharmacological sleep management was primarily aimed at improving sleep quality (86.7%), followed by sleep-wake schedules and, to a certain extent, sleep regularity (42.2%). About 56.7% of the studies reported more than one approach. Studies mostly focused on disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep through a diversity of strategies and relied heavily on subjective measures to identify and monitor problematic sleeping. Sleep management approaches were primarily delivered at the level of the individual in the home setting. The number of management approaches per study was unrelated to the number of sleep problems discussed. INTERPRETATION: Modifying sleep management strategies to meet the specific needs of children with developmental disabilities is encouraged, and studies that look beyond sleep quality or sleep quantity are required. It is also advocated that modifications to sleep hygiene, sleep regularity, and sleep ecology in a population with developmental disabilities are rigorously investigated. Finally, daytime somnolence should not be overlooked when aiming to optimize sleep in children with developmental disabilities across the ages and stages of their lives. There were several limitations in the research findings of problematic sleep in children with developmental disabilities. In general, the sleep problems and the developmental disabilities investigated were multicomponent in nature. It is likely that management approaches impacted those problems on multiple levels or through diverse 'therapeutic' pathways. There is a need for randomized controlled trials and more objective measures that quantify improved sleep or wake states.

The relation among sleep duration, homework burden, and sleep hygiene in chinese school-aged children.

Insufficient sleep in school-aged children is common in modern society, with homework burden being a potential risk factor. The aim of this article is to explore the effect of sleep hygiene on the association between homework and sleep duration. Children filled out the Chinese version of the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale, and parents filled out a sociodemographic questionnaire. The final sample included 363 boys and 371 girls with a mean age of 10.82 ± 0.38 years. Children with more homework went to bed later and slept less. Better sleep hygiene was associated with earlier bedtimes and longer sleep duration. Findings suggest that homework burden had a larger effect on sleep duration than sleep hygiene. Fifth-grade children in Shanghai have an excessive homework burden, which overwrites the benefit of sleep hygiene on sleep duration.

Neurocognitive Effects of Sleep Disruption in Children and Adolescents.

A main childhood task is learning. In this task, the role of sleep is increasingly demonstrated. Although most literature examining this role focuses on preadolescence and middle adolescence, some studies apply napping designs in preschoolers. Studies overall conclude that without proper sleep a child's cognitive abilities suffer, but questions on how and to what extent linger. Observational studies show the hazards of potential confounders such as an individual's resilience to poor sleep as well as developmental risk factors (eg, disorders, stressors). A better understanding of cognitive sleep neuroscience may have a big impact on pediatric sleep research and clinical applications.

Sleep and the Social Profiles of Individuals With Rett Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the distinctive social behaviors observed in individuals with Rett syndrome (RTT), characterized by the loss of spoken language, impaired eye gaze communication, gait abnormalities, and sleep issues. The research aims to identify social profiles in RTT and explore their correlation with sleep, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and daytime sleepiness. METHODS: Standard overnight sleep macrostructure and respiratory parameters were assessed. Extracting 25 social-related items and one for daytime sleepiness from the Rett Syndrome Behavioral Questionnaire, factor analysis was applied to establish latent social profiles. These profiles were then correlated with sleep parameters. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test compared social profiles based on the presence of SDB (defined by an apnea-hypopnea index greater than one per hour) and daytime sleepiness. RESULTS: The study involved 12 female subjects with confirmed RTT diagnoses and MECP2 mutations, aged 8.54 ± 5.30 years. The Rett Syndrome Behavioral Questionnaire revealed a total average score of 25.83 ± 12.34, indicating varying degrees of social impairments. Comprising 25 social-related items, factor analysis yielded four social profiles: "interactive motricity," "mood change," "anxiety/agitation," and "gazing." Longer sleep onset latency correlated with increased socio-behavioral impairments, particularly in interactive motricity reduction. Conversely, higher rapid eye movement sleep was associated with fewer interactive socio-motor behaviors. No significant differences in social profiles were found concerning the presence of SDB or daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest four distinct social profiles in RTT individuals, hinting at shared disrupted circuits between sensorimotor functioning and sleep-related neuronal pathways. Despite the absence of differences in SDB or daytime sleepiness, the study highlights the relationship between sleep parameters, such as sleep onset latency and rapid eye movement sleep, and socio-behavioral outcomes in RTT with MECP2 mutations.

A Historical Overview of the Role of Benzodiazepines including Clonazepam in the Treatment of Adult Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep.

In a recent survey of 16,694 people receiving treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), approximately 25% were treated with benzodiazepines either singly or in combination with other RLS treatments. Because of the large number of people receiving benzodiazepines for treatment of RLS, we conducted a historical overview of the therapeutic role of benzodiazepines in RLS and its associated condition Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS). We found 17 articles on the use of clonazepam in RLS, PLMS, or both, 3 on triazolam and PLMS, 1 on alprazolam and RLS, 1 on temazepam and PLMS, and 1 on nitrazepam and PLMS. The order of benefit of benzodiazepines from the summarized literature is Sleep>RLS>PLMS and arousals > PLMS. Most of the studies on clonazepam employed dosages of 0.5-2.0 mg. Dosages of 3 or 4 mg caused lethargy, somnolence and confusion. An epidemiological study on the therapy of RLS suggests that treatment of RLS with most types of RLS medications including benzodiazepines in combination with other RLS therapies lowers the future cardiovascular risk associated with RLS. The major effect of benzodiazepines is through potentiation of the effect of GABA on the GABA A receptor. Neuroimaging studies suggest that GABA is altered either positively or negatively in various brain regions in RLS and genetic studies suggest that there are alterations in the GABA receptor in RLS. These results suggest that medications with different GABAergic mechanisms such as tiagabine (Gabitril) or others should be investigated in RLS for their possible therapeutic benefit. Highlights: Benzodiazepines are frequently used as therapy in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep. The order of benefit is Sleep>RLS>PLMS and arousals > PLMS. For clonazepam dosages of 0.5 mg-2.0 mg/day are most frequently employed. Benzodiazepines exert their therapeutic effect through GABA-ergic mechanisms.

Individualized approaches to pediatric chronic insomnia: Advancing precision medicine in sleep disorders.

The manifestations of chronic insomnia undergo age-related changes. In younger infants and children, behavioral insomnia emerges as the most prevalent form and typically responds to behavioral interventions. However, distinct clusters of clinical presentations suggest the presence of various phenotypes, potentially implicating the primary involvement of specific neurotransmitters. These conceptualizations, coupled with genetic studies on pleiotropy and polygenicity, may aid in identifying individuals at risk of persistent insomnia into adulthood and shed light on novel treatment options. In school-age children, the predominant presentation is sleep-onset insomnia, often linked with nighttime fears, anxiety symptoms, poor sleep hygiene, limit-setting issues, and inadequate sleep duration. The manifestations of insomnia in adolescence correlate with the profound changes occurring in sleep architecture, circadian rhythms, and homeostatic processes. The primary symptoms during adolescence include delayed sleep onset, sleep misperception, persistent negative thoughts about sleep, and physiological hyperarousal-paralleling features observed in adult insomnia. An approach centered on distinct presentations may provide a framework for precision-based treatment options. Enhanced comprehension of insomnia's manifestations across diverse developmental stages can facilitate accurate assessment. Efforts to subtype insomnia in childhood align with this objective, potentially guiding the selection of appropriate treatments tailored to individual neurobiological, clinical, and familial features.

Beyond bedwetting: How successful treatment is observed in sleep macrostructure.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep enuresis (SE), commonly known as bedwetting, refers to involuntary urination during sleep. It is a prevalent condition affecting approximately 15 % of children at age 5, 10 % by age 7, and 5 % by age 10. This condition can significantly impact both children and their families. The pathophysiology of SE is complex and not yet fully understood. There are several established treatment methods, but limited information on their sleep dynamics. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate differences in sleep structure before and after treatment in patients with monosymptomatic SE (MSE), focusing on alarm therapy, desmopressin, and a combination of both. The analysis compared pre- and post-treatment differences within each treatment arm. The analysis was conducted for both successful and unsuccessful treatment outcomes. METHODS/RESULTS: This was a prospective study with MSE patients, aged 6-16 years, diagnosed by multidisciplinary assessment. Of the 140 initial applicants 75 were initially included in the study and randomized for therapeutic intervention in three treatment arms, namely: alarm, desmopressin and alarm + desmopressin. Therapeutic response was evaluated 12 months after treatment discontinuation. Polysomnographic evaluation pre and post treatment was carried out. 51/75 completed the entire protocol. 42/51 were successfully treated and had a median age of 10 [8-12] and the non-success, 8 [7-10]. Among the successful patients, the percentage of N2 sleep decreased from a median of 55.7 %-48.5 % (p = 0.0004) in the alarm arm, from 58.8 % to 50 % (p = 0.002) in the desmopressin arm, and from 54.7 % to 50.9 % (p = 0.044) in the combined arm. The percentage of N3 sleep increased from 25.7 % to 30.1 % (p = 0.004) in the alarm arm, from 21.6 % to 26 % (p = 0.032) in the desmopressin arm, and from 23.7 % to 28.3 % (p = 0.014) in the combined arm. The arousal index significantly increased from pre-to post-treatment in all arms: in the alarm arm, from 1.25 to 2.8 (p = 0.002); in the desmopressin arm, from 1.3 to 2.7 (p = 0.019); and in the combined treatment arm, from 1 to 4 (p = 0.003). No significant differences were observed in the non-successful arm or among those who experienced complete resolution of the enuresis without treatment. CONCLUSION: The observed increase in N3 sleep and arousal and decrease in N2 sleep following successful treatment, regardless of the specific interventions, underscores the role of sleep in the pathophysiology of enuresis. Conversely, the lack of sleep differences in the non-successful arm further highlights the importance of sleep, beyond developmental factors, in influencing the clinical outcomes of enuresis, especially since all children were assessed 12 months after the start of treatment.

Assessing psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Sleep Quality Questionnaire among healthcare students.

OBJECTIVE: The sleep of healthcare students is worth discovering. Mental health and self-rated health are thought to be associated with sleep quality. As such, valid instruments to assess sleep quality in healthcare students are crucial and irreplaceable. This study aimed to investigate the measurement properties of the Sleep Quality Questionnaire (SQQ) for Chinese healthcare students. METHODS: Two longitudinal assessments were undertaken among healthcare students, with a total of 595, between December 2020 and January 2021. Measures include the Chinese version of the SQQ, Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), Self-Rated Health Questionnaire (SRHQ), and sociodemographic questionnaire. Structural validity through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to examine factor structure of the SQQ. T-tests and ANOVAs were used to examine sociodemographic differences in sleep quality scores. Multi Group CFA and longitudinal CFA were respectively used to assess cross-sectional invariance and longitudinal invariance across two-time interval, i.e., cross-cultural validity. Construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were correspondingly examined via Spearman correlation, Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega, and intraclass correlation coefficient. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine incremental validity of the SQQ based on the PHQ-4 and SRHQ as indicators of the criterion variables. RESULTS: CFA results suggested that the two-factor model of the SQQ-9 (item 2 excluded) had the best fit. The SQQ-9 scores differed significantly by age, grade, academic stage, hobby, stress coping strategy, anxiety, depression, and self-rated health subgroups. Measurement invariance was supported in terms of aforesaid subgroups and across two time intervals. In correlation and regression analyses, anxiety, depression, and self-rated health were moderately strong predictors of sleep quality. The SQQ-9 had good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. CONCLUSION: Good measurement properties suggest that the SQQ is a promising and practical measurement instrument for assessing sleep quality of Chinese healthcare students.

Periodic limb movement disorder in children: A systematic review.

This systematic review evaluates the scientific literature on pediatric periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), adhering to PRISMA guidelines and utilizing PICOS criteria. The search across PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus yielded 331 articles, with 17 meeting inclusion criteria. Diagnostic criteria evolved, with polysomnography and PLMS index ≥5 required since 2003. Also, PLMD diagnosis mandates clinical consequences like insomnia, hypersomnia, and fatigue, excluding comorbidities causing sleep disruption. Prevalence in children is low (0.3%), emphasizing the need for meticulous investigation. Comorbidities, particularly the bidirectional relationship with ADHD, were explored. Challenges in diagnosis and understanding arise from overlapping conditions such as sleep disordered breathing, psychotropic medication, and criteria non-adherence. Despite generally good study quality, weaknesses include sample size justification and biases. The periodic leg movement index shows high sensitivity but low specificity, underscoring strict diagnostic criteria adherence. Diverse metrics for symptoms necessitate standardized approaches. Family history of RLS in children with PLMD suggests unexplored aspects. Treatment, mainly iron supplementation, lacks standardized assessment metrics. The review emphasizes diagnostic and treatment challenges, recommending unbiased studies with precise techniques. Comprehensive research, quantifying PLMS and objectively assessing sleep parameters, is crucial for advancing understanding in pediatric PLMD. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021251406.

Melatonin use in managing insomnia in children with autism and other neurogenetic disorders - An assessment by the international pediatric sleep association (IPSA).

Though it is widely prescribed for improving sleep of children with autism and other neurogenetic disorders, there is a need for practical guidance to clinicians on the use of melatonin for managing insomnia in this population. Because data were either lacking or inconclusive, a task force was established by the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA) to examine the literature based on clinical trials from 2012 onwards. A summary of evidence pertaining to melatonin's utility and potential side effects, practice-related caveats, and insights for use are published herewith.

Lavender improves sleep through olfactory perception and GABAergic neurons of the central amygdala.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The use of lavender as sleep aid or hypnotic agent can be traced back as early as ancient Romans and Greeks. Yet, objective experimental data on whether and how lavender enhances sleep duration or/and sleep quality remain lacking. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to characterize the sleep-wake regulating effects of lavender in the mouse and to demonstrate the brain targets and neural circuits involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-made precise odor delivery system combined with chronic polysomnographic recordings was employed to assess the sleep-wake effects of inhalation with lavender essential oil (LEO, extracted from lavender) and its different constituents during the light and dark phases in free-moving C57BL/6J mice. Neuroviral labeling, in situ hybridization and pharmacogenetics were combined to identify the neural circuits and targets involved. Finally, an insomniac model of DL-4-Chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-treated mice was established to examine the sleep-inducing potential of LEO. RESULTS: We found that inhalation of LEO with a concentration at 25.0% during the light (inactive) phase significantly shortened the latency to non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, increased the total amount of NREM sleep at the expense of wakefulness (W), and enhanced cortical EEG slow wave activities, notably delta power spectra density. We further identified linalool, d-limonene, 1,8-cineole, linalyl acetate and terpinene-4-ol as the major effective sleep-promoting monomer components. Importantly, we found that LEO no longer produced any of the above sleep-promoting effect following either nasal injection of zinc sulfate which interrupts the olfactory pathway, or pharmacogenetics silencing of central amygdala GABAergic neurons. Finally, LEO reestablished NREM sleep with short latency in PCPA-treated insomniac mice, effects comparable with those induced by a potent sedative diazepam. CONCLUSIONS: We have characterized the quantitative and qualitative sleep-promoting effects of LEO and its effective components via the olfactory pathway and central amygdala GABA neuronal targets. The hypnotic property of LEO is reinforced by its ability to restore sleep in insomnia. Our study thus establishes a neurobiological basis for aromatherapy of sleep disorders using lavender.