One week of chronic sleep debt does not affect decision-making processes in a mouse version of the Iowa Gambling Task

Abstract

Socio-professional pressures push people to sleep less which leads to chronic sleep debt (CSD)for a significant percentage of the population. Although the health consequences of CSD are well known, research shows that high-level cognitive processes in humans are more affected by acute sleep debt (ASD) rather than CSD (Drake et al., 2001). We have previously shown that ASD has deleterious effects on decision-making in mice and that some mice were more sensitive to ASD than others (Pittaras et al., 2018) by using a rodent version of the Iowa Gambling Task (Bechara et al., 1994). In this study, we showed that, as in humans, CSD has fewer effects on decision-making compared to ASD. We hypothesize that this observation was due to the set-up of a compensatory mechanism.

Inter-Individual Differences in Cognitive Tasks: Focusing on the Shaping of Decision-Making Strategies

“…With the control -water consuming- group, we replicated the previously described results ( Pittaras et al, 2013 , 2018 , 2019 ; Pittaras E. et al, 2016 ; Figure 6B ) and showed that the sweet or sweetener consumption led to modifications of the different strategies of decision-making ( Figures 6C-F ). Indeed, saccharin and sucralose consumption accelerates the development of the different strategies, with mice exploring only one day before choosing their strategies ( Figures 6C,D ).…”

“…In conclusion, we have shown that CSD does not interfere with decision-making strategies ( Pittaras et al, 2019 ), which is likely due to mice adapting to CSD using a compensatory mechanism to maximize the beneficial effects of sleep during the hours when sleep is possible. Flexibility to habituate to a chronically stressful environment is also a possible contributing factor.…”

“…* p < 0.05 from the chance level, # p < 0.05 differences between session 1 and the other sessions. Adapted from Pittaras E. et al (2016) and Pittaras et al (2018 , 2019) .…”

“…Lastly, we have studied the rigidity of choice following sweet and sweetener consumption as previously described ( Figure 6G ; Pittaras et al, 2013 , 2018 , 2019 ; Pittaras E. et al, 2016 ). We show that sweetener consumption leads to an increase in mice’s rigidity, whether they exhibit risk-averse or risk-prone decisions.…”