ABSTRACT
Sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive processes. Sleep and wake memory consolidation seem to be regulated by glucocorticoids, pointing out the potential role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive abilities. Trait anxiety is another factor that is likely to moderate the relationship between sleep and cognition, because poorer sleep quality and subtle HPA axis abnormalities have been reported in people with high trait anxiety. The current study aimed to explore whether HPA axis activity or trait anxiety moderate the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive abilities in healthy individuals. We studied 203 healthy individuals. We measured verbal and visual memory, working memory, processing speed, attention and executive function. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Trait anxiety was assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. HPA axis measures included the cortisol awakening response (CAR), diurnal cortisol slope and cortisol levels during the day. Multiple linear regression analyses explored the relationship between sleep quality and cognition and tested potential moderating effects by HPA axis measures and trait anxiety. Poor sleep quality was associated with poorer performance in memory, processing speed and executive function tasks. In people with poorer sleep quality, a blunted CAR was associated with poorer verbal and visual memory and executive functions, and higher cortisol levels during the day were associated with poorer processing speed. Trait anxiety was a moderator of visual memory and executive functioning. These results suggest that subtle abnormalities in the HPA axis and higher trait anxiety contribute to the relationship between lower sleep quality and poorer cognitive functioning in healthy individuals.
Subject(s)
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System , Pituitary-Adrenal System , Sleep Wake Disorders , Adult , Anxiety , Cognition , Female , Humans , Hydrocortisone , Male , Middle Aged , Saliva , Sleep , Young AdultABSTRACT
Introducción. La hiperventilación en las sesiones de terapia electroconvulsiva se ha relacionado con el umbral convulsivo, las características de la convulsión y los efectos cognitivos. No existe consenso sobre el procedimiento óptimo de aplicación de las maniobras de hiperventilación durante la terapia electroconvulsiva. Material y métodos. Evaluación prospectiva de los efectos del uso sistematizado de maniobras de hiperventilación con mascarilla facial y capnografía (hiperventilación reglada [HVr]) en los parámetros ventilatorios y de la convulsión. Muestra de 130 sesiones (65 realizadas con hiperventilación según la práctica habitual y 65 sucesivas con HVr) de 35 pacientes en un periodo de 10 semanas. Resultados. Las maniobras de HVr disminuyeron el CO2 espirado e incrementaron la saturación de O2 significativamente (p<0,001). La disminución media de CO2 alcanzada fue de 6,52±4,75mmHg (IC 95% −7,7 a −5,3). Los valores de CO2 tras la HVr correlacionaron significativamente con la duración de la convulsión, y los de O2, con otros índices electroencefalográficos de calidad. En las sesiones con HVr, en comparación con las sesiones realizadas con hiperventilación según la práctica habitual, el alargamiento medio de la convulsión motora y electroencefalográfica fue de 3,86±14,62 y de 4,73±13,95s, respectivamente, sin diferencias en los demás parámetros ictales. Conclusiones. Las maniobras de HVr propuestas modifican de forma relevante los parámetros ventilatorios. La hipocapnia y la hiperoxia obtenidas al aplicar estas maniobras alargan la duración de las convulsiones sin empeorar la calidad del trazado electroencefalográfico. El uso de protocolos de HVr es generalizable y puede mejorar el procedimiento de la terapia electroconvulsiva sin añadir costes (AU)
Introduction. Hyperventilation in electroconvulsive therapy sessions has been associated with seizure threshold, seizure characteristics, and cognitive effects. There is no consensus on the optimal procedure of applying hyperventilation manoeuvres during electroconvulsive therapy. Material and methods. Prospective evaluation of the effects of systematic use of hyperventilation manoeuvres with facial mask and capnography (protocolized hyperventilation [pHV]), on ventilation parameters and on seizures. The study included a sample of 130 sessions (65 performed according to hyperventilation standard practice and 65 successive sessions, with pHV) of 35 patients over a period of 10 weeks. Results. The pHV manoeuvres reduced exhaled CO2 and increased O2 saturation significantly (P<.001). The average CO2 reduction achieved was 6.52±4.75mmHg (95% CI −7.7 to −5.3). The CO2 values after pHV correlated significantly with seizure duration and O2 values, with other electroencephalographic quality indices. In pHV sessions, compared with sessions performed according to hyperventilation standard practice, the average lengthening of the motor and electroencephalographic seizure was 3.86±14.62 and 4.73±13.95s, respectively. No differences were identified in other ictal quality parameters. Conclusions. The proposed pHV manoeuvres significantly modify ventilation parameters. The hypocapnia and hyperoxia obtained by applying these manoeuvres lengthen the duration of seizures without worsening the quality of the electroencephalographic trace. The use of pHV is generalisable and might improve electroconvulsive therapy procedure without adding costs (AU)