Latest in Sleep Medicine News

Chronic insomnia is associated with various functional and mental health impairments. The present study aimed to evaluate variables potentially associated with insomnia in a Brazilian sample.

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) in children can lead to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adulthood and sleep-related bruxism (SRB). Neuro occlusal rehabilitation and functional jaw orthopedics (NOR-FJO) show promise in addressing SRBDs and SRB to prevent OSA progression. However, consistent evidence for managing these conditions in children is lacking, highlighting the need for early intervention to mitigate long-term complications. The present article explores NOR-FJO's effects in preventing SRBDs and their progression to OSA. We report two cases of brothers with SRBD and SRB and the case of their father with OSA. The brothers, who had overjet and overbite, were treated with NOR-FJO. The third patient had a similar history in childhood, without treatment, and developed OSA, subsequently treated with a mandibular advancement device (MAD). Timely intervention for SRBDs is essential in preventing long-term health complications, and understanding treatment strategies is crucial for early intervention.

Improvements in sleep quality and depressive symptoms are considered a cornerstone of adult health. Physical exercise is one of the interventions used to treat people with sleep disorders and improve mental health. However, there is no standardization regarding the physical exercise protocols and their effects on sleep quality and depressive symptoms in adults. The present study aims to verify, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the effect of physical exercise on sleep quality and symptoms of depression in adults. This study adhered to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were used to identify relevant original articles and clinical trials. Analysis was performed with Review Manager (RevMan) software (The Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom), version 5.4. The study included men and women over 18-years-old, with physical exercise as the intervention. The studies included pre- and postevaluation of sleep quality and depressive symptoms. A total of 931 articles were found, of which 15 met the eligibility criteria, encompassing 940 participants. Physical exercise significantly improved sleep quality (mean difference: -1.19; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: -1.66 to -0.73) and depressive symptoms (mean difference: -3.51; 95%CI: -4.66 to -2.36). Aerobic exercise was the most common and effective for both outcomes. Thus, physical exercise was effective in improving sleep quality and depressive symptoms in adults. Additional studies, however, should be performed to confirm these findings.

To compare the associations between sleep quality and body mass index (BMI), as well as excess weight status, in male and female subjects, while exploring potential mediating factors, including lifestyle and health-related variables.

To assess the effectiveness of allocating positive airway pressure nap (PAP-NAP) prior to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial compared with CPAP trial alone in improving CPAP therapy adherence among individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in our Southeast Asian cohort.

While several therapeutic options for insomnia are currently available, they often require long-term use and come with certain disadvantages. Given insomnia's significant impact on health overall, more effective treatments are warranted. Here, we report two patients with moderate to severe insomnia whose symptoms significantly improved following the intravenous administration of -expanded bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The cases were 50-year-old and 38-year-old men with mild diabetes. They both developed insomnia several years ago and suffered from it despite taking some medications. We cultured their bone-marrow-derived MSCs and intravenously administered 1,5 × 10 cells to each patient. After the treatment, the insomnia of both patients was drastically improved, while diabetes itself showed only mild improvement. Notably, their improvements were associated with an increase in plasma interleukin-4 levels. This is the first case report demonstrating the therapeutic effects of MSCs on insomnia.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects nerve impulse transmission in the auditory pathway due to oxygen supply. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy improves oxygen levels, potentially alleviating sleepiness and enhancing central auditory pathway function.

The scientific disciplines encompassing sleep, the immune system, and curcumin have garnered considerable interest due to their interconnectedness and potential implications for human health. Sleep is a crucial factor in maintaining optimal immune function, as it facilitates the release of cytokines, which are signaling molecules responsible for regulating immune responses. On the contrary, sleep deprivation has the potential of inhibiting immune function, thereby heightening the susceptibility to infection and disease. Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenol derived from the turmeric plant, has been observed to possess immunomodulatory characteristics through its ability to modulate the equilibrium between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. It is worth noting that there is evidence suggesting that curcumin supplementation could enhance the quality of sleep. Scientific studies have indicated that curcumin supplementation has been associated with an increase in the duration of sleep and a decrease in wakefulness among individuals who are in good health. Additionally, curcumin supplementation has been found to enhance sleep quality and alleviate symptoms of depression in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The intricate interplay among sleep, the immune system, and curcumin is multifaceted, and scientific investigations indicate that curcumin may serve as a beneficial dietary adjunct to enhance immune function and optimize sleep quality. Nevertheless, additional investigation is required to fully comprehend the mechanisms through which curcumin alters the immune system and enhances sleep, as well as to ascertain the most effective dose and timing of curcumin supplementation.

An Increased burden of noncommunicable diseases and their association with sleep problems exists.

Several studies have emerged to understand the relationship between insomnia and mental health issues like depression and anxiety from a causative perspective. Lebanon is a small country tormented by war, social insecurities and economic challenges, making it the fertile ground to understand the interaction between these variables in this population, especially with chronic pain. This study aims to better understand the relationship between insomnia, depression and anxiety in fibromyalgia patients in the Lebanese context.