Brain Activation Changes in Insomnia: A Review of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies

Abstract

Sleep disorders are becoming pervasive in modern society. According to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, about 50-70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, reporting sleep-related symptoms that could degrade the quality of their lives. Among various sleep disorders, insomnia is regarded as the most common. Patients suffering from insomnia have been suggested to have impaired neurobiological function compared with those without insomnia. In particular, neurobiological dysfunction in cognitive and emotional processes have been suggested as principal characteristics of insomnia [1-5]. The relationship between insomnia and neurobiological dysfunction might be explained by specific neuroscientific theories. According to the hyperarousal theory, patients with insomnia become obsessed with sleep-related thoughts that flash through their minds, and they may fail to control exces

The Influence of Life Stress and Sleep Disturbance on White Matter Integrity

“…Thus, stress per se triggers changes in white matter integrity independent of any associated psychiatric/psychological problems. The relationship between stress and sleep may also influence brain structural and functional connectivity [ 7 , 8 ]. The interaction between sleep and stress affects the brain response to emotional and sleep-related stimuli [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…The relationship between stress and sleep may also influence brain structural and functional connectivity. 7,8 The interaction between sleep and stress affects the brain response to emotional and sleep-related stimuli. 9,10…”