Sleep and Emotional Functions

Abstract

In this chapter, we review studies investigating the role of sleep in emotional functions. In particular, evidence has recently accumulated to show that brain regions involved in the processing of emotional and reward-related information are activated during sleep. We suggest that such activation of emotional and reward systems during sleep underlies the reprocessing and consolidation of memories with a high affective and motivational relevance for the organism. We also propose that these mechanisms occurring during sleep promote adapted cognitive and emotional responses in the waking state, including overnight performance improvement, creativity, and sexual functions. Activation across emotional-limbic circuits during sleep also appears to promote emotional maturation and the emergence of consciousness in the developing brain.

The key role of insomnia and sleep loss in the dysregulation of multiple systems involved in mood disorders: A proposed model

“…At the neural level, neuroimaging studies have revealed that emotional and reward networks are activated during sleep. Such activation may promote the reprocessing of emotional or rewarded information during sleep and dreaming, and optimize affective regulation and behavioural responses during wakefulness (Gujar et al., ; McKenna & Eyler, ; Perogamvros & Schwartz, ; Van Someren et al., ). Prolonged sleep deprivation instead has been associated with enhanced emotional reactivity signified by increased limbic activation in response to negative emotional stimuli, specifically within the amygdale, and also to a disinhibition of mesolimbic dopaminergic networks mediating reactivity to pleasurable and rewarding experiences (Gujar et al., ; Perogamvros & Schwartz, ; Van Someren et al., ; Venkatraman et al., ).…”

“…Sleep has important functions that are fundamental for the regulation of emotion, reward system and cognition (Abel, Havekes, Saletin, & Walker, 2013;Fairholme & Mamber, 2015;Goldstein & Walker, 2014;Perogamvros & Schwartz, 2015;Raven et al, 2017;Van Someren et al, 2015;Walker, 2009Walker, , 2010Walker & van der Helm, 2009). Insomnia and sleep loss have been proposed to lead to maladaptive emotional regulation, and consequently to exaggerated neural and behavioural reactivity to experiences and reward (Altena et al, 2016;Baglioni et al, 2010;Boudebesse & Henry, 2012;Gujar et al, 2011;Krause et al, 2017;McKenna & Eyler, 2012;Yoo, Gujar, Hu, Jolesz, & Walker, 2007).…”

“…At the neural level, neuroimaging studies have revealed that emotional and reward networks are activated during sleep. Such activation may promote the reprocessing of emotional or rewarded information during sleep and dreaming, and optimize affective regulation and behavioural responses during wakefulness (Gujar et al, 2011;McKenna & Eyler, 2012;Perogamvros & Schwartz, 2015;Van Someren et al, 2015).…”

“…Prolonged sleep deprivation instead has been associated with enhanced emotional reactivity signified by increased limbic activation in response to negative emotional stimuli, specifically within the amygdale, and also to a disinhibition of mesolimbic dopaminergic networks mediating reactivity to pleasurable and rewarding experiences (Gujar et al, 2011;Perogamvros & Schwartz, 2015;Van Someren et al, 2015;Venkatraman et al, 2007). Sleep deprivation may therefore be associated with amplified reactivity across the full range of affective valence, both positive and negative, thus potentially contributing to reported deficits in judgement and decisionmaking related to sleep disruption (Gujar et al, 2011;Perogamvros & Schwartz, 2015;Van Someren et al, 2015;Venkatraman et al, 2007). Impairment in the top-down modulation of emotional processing has been evidenced when sleep is disturbed (Gujar et al, 2011;Krause et al, 2017;Yoo et al, 2007): a dysfunction in the neural circuitry underlying emotion regulation has also been observed in individuals suffering from insomnia.…”

Three Reasons to Consider the Role of Tiredness in Sexual Risk-Taking Among Gay and Bisexual Men

“…At the same time, tiredness also exacerbates emotional reactivity (see Kahn, Sheppes, & Sadeh, 2013; Perogamvros & Schwartz, 2015, for reviews) and various physical or visceral desires (e.g., Pejovic et al, 2010). Situating this within a dual processes framework of self-regulation (e.g., Metcalfe & Mischel, 1999), we argue that tiredness situationally compromises self-regulatory success—here, related to sexual behavior—by impairing the cognitive, rational, higher-order capacities involved in “cool” processing and by exacerbating the desires or urges which fuel more emotion-laden, “hot” processing.…”