Abstract
0093 NREM Sleep Oscillations Are Altered in Young Adults with Heightened Trait Anxiety
Sleep (New York, N.Y.), Vol.48(Supplement_1), pp.A42-A42
05/19/2025
DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaf090.0093
Abstract
Introduction
NREM oscillations play a critical role in memory consolidation, yet their role in sleep-dependent processing of affect and anxiety symptoms remains poorly understood. The present study examines the links between NREM oscillations, emotional memory, anxiety symptoms, and negative affect and investigates whether NREM oscillations are altered in individuals with elevated trait anxiety.
Methods
Forty-two non-help-seeking young adults (M = 19.3, SD = 1.8 years; 77% female), with high (n = 26) vs moderate-to-low (n = 16) levels of trait anxiety symptoms were monitored during a 2 hr mid-day nap opportunity. Sleep-dependent consolidation of emotional memory was tested during this interval. Upon awakening, participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Sleep spindles and slow oscillations (SO) during N2 and N3 sleep were characterized with automated detectors.
Results
In the entire sample, increased SO activity was associated with reduced negative affect (tsum=-17.41, pcorrected=.045, 7 electrodes) and state anxiety (tsum=-18.74, pcorrected=.046, 7 electrodes), while spindle activity correlated with higher levels of negative affect (tsum=31.57, pcorrected=.02, 13 electrodes) and state anxiety (tsum=31.23, pcorrected=.03, 13 electrodes). The High Anxiety group exhibited reduced SO activity (tsum=-30.29, pcorrected =.04, 6 electrodes) and delta power (tsum=-49.31, pcorrected=.04, 21 electrodes), with no differences in sleep architecture. No group differences were observed in sleep-dependent memory consolidation.
Conclusion
We demonstrated that SO activity is altered in young adults with heightened trait anxiety and is associated with reduced anxiety and negative affect in the entire sample, identifying a putative anxiolytic function. These findings suggest that NREM oscillations may be a novel target for interventions aimed at reducing anxiety.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- 0093 NREM Sleep Oscillations Are Altered in Young Adults with Heightened Trait Anxiety
- Creators
- Hazal Arpaci - University of IowaNandita Banik - University of IowaPinar Kurdoglu ErsoyCiara Harrington - University of IowaAycan kapucu - Ege UniversityBengi Baran - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Sleep (New York, N.Y.), Vol.48(Supplement_1), pp.A42-A42
- DOI
- 10.1093/sleep/zsaf090.0093
- ISSN
- 0161-8105
- eISSN
- 1550-9109
- Publisher
- OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
- Grant note
- NIMH: K01MH114012 NIH: T32GM149386, T32GM108540 NIMHNIH Predoctoral Training Grants
This work was supported by the NIMH grant K01MH114012 to Bengi Baran. Hazal Arpaci is supported by NIH Predoctoral Training Grants T32GM149386 and T32GM108540.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/19/2025
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Center for Social Science Innovation
- Record Identifier
- 9984824286702771
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