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Brain Mechanisms of Sleep Related Disorders
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Brain Mechanisms of Sleep Related Disorders

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 40041

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Olga Dergacheva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, the George Washington University, Washington, DC 20037, USA
Interests: the neurophysiological mechanisms of respiratory and cardiovascular regulation; sleep regulation; sleep-related disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jhansi Dyavanapalli

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, the George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sleep disorders, particularly sleep-related breathing disorders, are highly prevalent disorders that occur in people of all age groups. Severe long-term consequences of these disorders include increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, decrement in cognitive function and impaired quality of life.

Although recent studies, using animal models and innovative optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches, made a remarkable progress toward identifying neurotransmitters and pathways associated with pathophysiology of sleep disorders the alteration in the brain mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of these disorders are still not fully understood. Understanding these mechanisms might provide a foundation for developing novel therapeutic and pharmacological strategies and improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sleep disorders. 

This issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences will focus on research related to alteration in sleep-wake regulation mechanisms associated with obstructive and central sleep apneas, sleep-disordered breathing, sudden infant death syndrome and other sleep-related disorders.

Dr. Olga Dergacheva
Dr. Jhansi Dyavanapalli
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Molecular and neurophysiological mechanisms of sleep
  • REM sleep
  • Hypothalamus
  • Brainstem
  • Respiration
  • Sleep-related disorders
  • Sleep-disordering breathing
  • Sleep apnea
  • Animal model of sleep apnea
  • Sudden infant death sindrome

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2651 KiB  
Article
The Effect of DREADD Activation of Leptin Receptor Positive Neurons in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract on Sleep Disordered Breathing
by Mateus R. Amorim, Olga Dergacheva, Thomaz Fleury-Curado, Huy Pho, Carla Freire, David Mendelowitz, Luiz G. S. Branco and Vsevolod Y. Polotsky
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 6742; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136742 - 23 Jun 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2912
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recurrent obstruction of the upper airway due to the loss of upper airway muscle tone during sleep. OSA is highly prevalent, especially in obesity. There is no pharmacotherapy for OSA. Previous studies have demonstrated the role of leptin, [...] Read more.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recurrent obstruction of the upper airway due to the loss of upper airway muscle tone during sleep. OSA is highly prevalent, especially in obesity. There is no pharmacotherapy for OSA. Previous studies have demonstrated the role of leptin, an adipose-tissue-produced hormone, as a potent respiratory stimulant. Leptin signaling via a long functional isoform of leptin receptor, LEPRb, in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), has been implicated in control of breathing. We hypothesized that leptin acts on LEPRb positive neurons in the NTS to increase ventilation and maintain upper airway patency during sleep in obese mice. We expressed designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) selectively in the LEPRb positive neurons of the NTS of Leprb-Cre-GFP mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO) and examined the effect of DREADD ligand, J60, on tongue muscle activity and breathing during sleep. J60 was a potent activator of LEPRb positive NTS neurons, but did not stimulate breathing or upper airway muscles during NREM and REM sleep. We conclude that, in DIO mice, the stimulating effects of leptin on breathing during sleep are independent of LEPRb signaling in the NTS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Mechanisms of Sleep Related Disorders)
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Review

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36 pages, 1454 KiB  
Review
Sleep Disruption Worsens Seizures: Neuroinflammation as a Potential Mechanistic Link
by Herlinda Bonilla-Jaime, Helena Zeleke, Asheebo Rojas and Claudia Espinosa-Garcia
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(22), 12531; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222212531 - 20 Nov 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 8381
Abstract
Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and daytime sleepiness, are common in people diagnosed with epilepsy. These disturbances can be attributed to nocturnal seizures, psychosocial factors, and/or the use of anti-epileptic drugs with sleep-modifying side effects. Epilepsy patients with poor sleep [...] Read more.
Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and daytime sleepiness, are common in people diagnosed with epilepsy. These disturbances can be attributed to nocturnal seizures, psychosocial factors, and/or the use of anti-epileptic drugs with sleep-modifying side effects. Epilepsy patients with poor sleep quality have intensified seizure frequency and disease progression compared to their well-rested counterparts. A better understanding of the complex relationship between sleep and epilepsy is needed, since approximately 20% of seizures and more than 90% of sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy occur during sleep. Emerging studies suggest that neuroinflammation, (e.g., the CNS immune response characterized by the change in expression of inflammatory mediators and glial activation) may be a potential link between sleep deprivation and seizures. Here, we review the mechanisms by which sleep deprivation induces neuroinflammation and propose that neuroinflammation synergizes with seizure activity to worsen neurodegeneration in the epileptic brain. Additionally, we highlight the relevance of sleep interventions, often overlooked by physicians, to manage seizures, prevent epilepsy-related mortality, and improve quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Mechanisms of Sleep Related Disorders)
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10 pages, 260 KiB  
Review
Regulation of microRNA Expression in Sleep Disorders in Patients with Epilepsy
by Edyta Dziadkowiak, Justyna Chojdak-Łukasiewicz, Piotr Olejniczak and Bogusław Paradowski
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(14), 7370; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147370 - 9 Jul 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2791
Abstract
The effects of epilepsy on sleep and the activating effects of sleep on seizures are well documented in the literature. To date, many sleep-related and awake-associated epilepsy syndromes have been described. The relationship between sleep and epilepsy has led to the recognition of [...] Read more.
The effects of epilepsy on sleep and the activating effects of sleep on seizures are well documented in the literature. To date, many sleep-related and awake-associated epilepsy syndromes have been described. The relationship between sleep and epilepsy has led to the recognition of polysomnographic testing as an important diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of epilepsy. The authors analyzed the available medical database in search of other markers that assess correlations between epilepsy and sleep. Studies pointing to microRNAs, whose abnormal expression may be common to epilepsy and sleep disorders, are promising. In recent years, the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and sleep disorders has been increasingly emphasized. MicroRNAs are a family of single-stranded, non-coding, endogenous regulatory molecules formed from double-stranded precursors. They are typically composed of 21–23 nucleotides, and their main role involves post-transcriptional downregulation of expression of numerous genes. Learning more about the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of sleep disorder epilepsy may result in its use as a biomarker in these disorders and application in therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Mechanisms of Sleep Related Disorders)
21 pages, 2157 KiB  
Review
Brain Mechanisms of COVID-19-Sleep Disorders
by Oxana Semyachkina-Glushkovskaya, Aysel Mamedova, Valeria Vinnik, Maria Klimova, Elena Saranceva, Vasily Ageev, Tingting Yu, Dan Zhu, Thomas Penzel and Jürgen Kurths
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 6917; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136917 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6892
Abstract
2020 and 2021 have been unprecedented years due to the rapid spread of the modified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus around the world. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes atypical infiltrated pneumonia with many neurological symptoms, and major sleep changes. The exposure of [...] Read more.
2020 and 2021 have been unprecedented years due to the rapid spread of the modified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus around the world. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes atypical infiltrated pneumonia with many neurological symptoms, and major sleep changes. The exposure of people to stress, such as social confinement and changes in daily routines, is accompanied by various sleep disturbances, known as ‘coronasomnia’ phenomenon. Sleep disorders induce neuroinflammation, which promotes the blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption and entry of antigens and inflammatory factors into the brain. Here, we review findings and trends in sleep research in 2020–2021, demonstrating how COVID-19 and sleep disorders can induce BBB leakage via neuroinflammation, which might contribute to the ‘coronasomnia’ phenomenon. The new studies suggest that the control of sleep hygiene and quality should be incorporated into the rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients. We also discuss perspective strategies for the prevention of COVID-19-related BBB disorders. We demonstrate that sleep might be a novel biomarker of BBB leakage, and the analysis of sleep EEG patterns can be a breakthrough non-invasive technology for diagnosis of the COVID-19-caused BBB disruption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Mechanisms of Sleep Related Disorders)
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16 pages, 285 KiB  
Review
Migraine and Sleep—An Unexplained Association?
by Marta Waliszewska-Prosół, Marta Nowakowska-Kotas, Justyna Chojdak-Łukasiewicz and Sławomir Budrewicz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 5539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115539 - 24 May 2021
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 6768
Abstract
Migraine and sleep disorders are common chronic diseases in the general population, with significant negative social and economic impacts. The association between both of these phenomena has been observed by clinicians for years and is confirmed by many epidemiological studies. Despite this, the [...] Read more.
Migraine and sleep disorders are common chronic diseases in the general population, with significant negative social and economic impacts. The association between both of these phenomena has been observed by clinicians for years and is confirmed by many epidemiological studies. Despite this, the nature of this relationship is still not fully understood. In recent years, there has been rapid progress in understanding the common anatomical structures of and pathogenetic mechanism between sleep and migraine. Based on a literature review, the authors present the current view on this topic as well as ongoing research in this field, with reference to the key points of the biochemical and neurophysiological processes responsible for both these disorders. In the future, a better understanding of these mechanisms will significantly expand the range of treatment options. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Mechanisms of Sleep Related Disorders)
17 pages, 674 KiB  
Review
Association of Sleep Architecture and Physiology with Depressive Disorder and Antidepressants Treatment
by Peter Hutka, Michaela Krivosova, Zuzana Muchova, Ingrid Tonhajzerova, Andrea Hamrakova, Zuzana Mlyncekova, Juraj Mokry and Igor Ondrejka
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(3), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22031333 - 29 Jan 2021
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 11172
Abstract
Sleep problems are frequently associated with the principal diagnostic criteria for many mental disorders. Alterations in the sleep of depressive patients are of high clinical significance because continuous sleep problems raise the chance of relapse, recurrence, or suicide, as well as the need [...] Read more.
Sleep problems are frequently associated with the principal diagnostic criteria for many mental disorders. Alterations in the sleep of depressive patients are of high clinical significance because continuous sleep problems raise the chance of relapse, recurrence, or suicide, as well as the need for augmenting medications. Most antidepressants have been proven to influence the sleep architecture. While some classes of antidepressants improve sleep, others may cause sleep impairment. The successful treatment of depressive disorder also requires an understanding of the effects of antidepressants on sleep. This article briefly reviews the physiology of sleep and the typical alterations in the sleep architecture in depressive patients and updates the different effects of the majority of antidepressants including novel drugs in clinical practice on sleep. The summary of the updated scientific findings of the relationship between depression and sleep disturbances could be clinically beneficial in choosing the best medication for depressive patients with concurrent sleep disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Mechanisms of Sleep Related Disorders)
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