Sleep Science Podcast

We've gathered the NaPS lab to answer all your fascinating questions on all things sleep! A perfect bitesize episode to get stuck into the marvellous world of sleep. 1. How does sleep deprivation affect mental health? - Answered by Martha WawrzutaBunney, B. G. , Bunney, W. E. (2013). Mechanisms of Rapid Antidepressant Effects of Sleep Deprivation Therapy: Clock Genes and Circadian Rhythms. Biological PsychiatryFang, H., Tu, S., Sheng, J., Shao, A. (2018). Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine2. What is narcolepsy? - Answered by Kyrillos MeshrekyLeschziner G., Narcolepsy: a clinical review, Practical Neurology 2014;14:323-3313. Does the full moon affect sleep? - Answered by Al Saqib MajumderCasiraghi, L. et al. (2021). Moonstruck sleep: Synchronization of human sleep with the moon cycle under field conditions. Chaput, J. P. et al. (2016). Are Children Like Werewolves? Full Moon and Its Association with Sleep and Activity Behaviors in an International Sample of Children. Sleep Medicine4. How does a smart watch track sleep? - Answered by Yan Wang5. What is orthosomnia? - Answered by Sophie Smith Baron, K.G., et al. (2017) Orthosomnia: Are some patients taking the quantified self too far? J Clin Sleep Med6. What is sleep regression and how long does it last? - Answered by Mo AbdellahiWeinraub, M. et al. (2012). Patterns of developmental change in infants' nighttime sleep awakenings from 6 through 36 months of age. Developmental PsychologyBruni O. et al. (2014) Longitudinal study of sleep behavior in normal infants during the first year of life. J Clin Sleep Med7. Does Magnesium Citrate help you sleep? - Answered by Dulni PeramunugamageMagnesium for sleep, Sleep Foundation, 20258. Does dark chocolate help you sleep? - Answered by Martha Nguyen Abdoli, E. et al. (2024). A clinical trial of the effects of cocoa rich chocolate on depression and sleep quality in menopausal women. Scientific reports,Garbarino, S., Garbarino, E., & Lanteri, P. (2022). Circadian Rhythm, Mood, and Temporal Patterns of Eating Chocolate: A Scoping Review of Physiology, Findings, and Future Directions. NutrientsMusic by Sergio Prosvirini from PixabayCheck out our NaPS website to find out more about the podcast, our research and events. This recording is the property of the Sleep Science Podcast and not for resale.

In this episode, we welcome neuroscientist Michele Bellesi from the University of Camerino to explore the fascinating world of glial cells and their dynamic role in sleep. Michele guides us through the four types of glial cells:Astrocytes: Regulators of synaptic function and help form the blood brain barrier (BBB)Oligodendrocytes: Crucial for myelination and fast signal transmissionMicroglia: The brain's immune sentinels, important for responding to infection and injury as well as shaping the synaptic landscapeEpendymal Cells: Involved in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production and CFS movement around the brainWe dive into how each of these cells types behaves differently across wake, sleep and sleep deprivation and the impacts on each cell types function.Find out more about Michele's work here and see relevant papers below.The role of sleep and wakefulness in myelin plasticity, 2019, GliaSleep loss promotes astrocytic phagocytosis and microglial activation in mouse cerebral cortex, 2017, Journal of Neuroscience Effects of sleep and wake on astrocytes: clues from molecular and ultrastructural studies, 2015, BMC BiologyCheck out our NaPS website to find out more about the podcast, our research and events. This recording is the property of the Sleep Science Podcast and not for resale.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Xiaoqing Hu, a pioneer in sleep and memory research from the University of Hong Kong, explores how sleep can reshape implicit biases and memories. He delves into Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR), revealing how pairing sounds with counter-stereotypic responses during sleep can reduce negative biases. Hu also explains the crucial roles of REM and NREM sleep in emotional memory updating and the intriguing potential of TMR for clinical applications. Discover how sleep can be a powerful tool for unlearning and positivity!

Hongi Ngo, a psychology lecturer at the University of Essex, developed a groundbreaking technique called closed-loop auditory stimulation (CLAS) designed to manipulate sleep oscillations. He explains how CLAS can enhance memory consolidation by timing auditory bursts to brain rhythms. The discussion covers its potential in boosting immune function and reducing epilepsy symptoms. Ngo also explores the synergy between CLAS and targeted memory reactivation, along with exciting future applications like transcranial magnetic stimulation to further unlock the mysteries of sleep and memory.

In this engaging discussion, Anna Schapiro, an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, shares insights from her research on computational modeling and memory. She dives into how neural networks help us understand memory representation in the brain and the crucial role of sleep in memory consolidation. Topics include the dynamics of memory reactivation during REM sleep, the complex interplay between the hippocampus and neocortex, and how bilingualism impacts memory processes—all through groundbreaking computational theories.

How does our sleep change as we age and what could this mean for memory and cognition?In this episode, we discuss with Professor Rebecca Spencer her research  exploring how our sleep patterns evolve over the course of our lives. We explore the phenomenon of infantile amnesia - why we can't remember our earliest childhood experiences - and unpack the theories behind it. We discuss how hippocampal development changes as we age and how this links to memory consolidation and sleep. We also dive into Rebecca's work on emotional processing in children and how naps and sleeping are able to aid in emotional regulation. Rebecca runs the Somneuro Lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Find out more about Rebecca and her research group here.Links to studies in the episode:Napping reduces emotional attention bias during early childhoodUnhealthy diet is associated with poor sleep in preschool-aged childrenTelevision use and its effects on sleep in early childhoodHost: Professor Penny LewisEditor: Sophie SmithCheck out our NaPS website to find out more about the podcast, our research and events. This recording is the property of the Sleep Science Podcast and not for resale.

In this deep dive episode, we look at how sleep onset can help creativity. With our amazing guest speakers, Professor Bob Stickgold, Dr Adam Horowitz, Professor Delphine Oudiette and Dr Celia Lacaux, we take a look at their work on creativity, dreams and N1 sleep. Together, we discuss different definitions of creativity, what defines N1 and what it is about N1 that makes it prime time for creative processing. Find out more about our guest speakers:Professor Bob StickgoldDr Adam HorowitzProfessor Delphine OudietteDr Celia LacauxPapers from the episode:Sleep onset is a creative sweetspot Replaying the Game: Hypnagogic Images in Normals and AmnesicsDormio: A targeted dream incubation deviceHost: Professor Penny LewisEditor: Sophie Smith Check out our NaPS website to find out more about the podcast, our research and events. This recording is the property of the Sleep Science Podcast and not for resale.

Sleepwalking, sleep talking, night terrors - how do they occur and why do some people have them more than others?Join us as we discuss with Professor Francesca Siclari her work looking at non-REM parasomnias and the link to dreaming. We discuss the various forms that non-REM parasomnias can take, how they differ between adults and children and what the potential consequences of them can be.  Find out more about Francesca and her research group here.Here are links to some of the studies:Conscious experiences during non-REM parasomniasShared EEG correlates between non-REM parasomnia experiences and dreamsConsciousness in non-REM-parasomnia episodes Host: Professor Penny LewisProducer & Editor: Sophie Smith Check out our NaPS website to find out more about the podcast, our research and events. This recording is the property of the Sleep Science Podcast and not for resale.

To kickstart season 3 of the Sleep Science Podcast, we have the lab behind the podcast, NaPS Lab, to answer some great sleep-related questions from our listeners. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions!1. What is lucid dreaming? - Answered by Mo AbdellahiLucid dreaming - Stephen LaBerge, 2009Induction of self awareness in dreams through frontal low current stimulation of gamma activity Real-time dialogue between experimenters and dreamers during REM sleep 2. Do dreams do anything for us? - Answered by Kyrillos MeshrekyThe brain as a dream state generator: an activation-synthesis hypothesis of the dream process Converging theories on dreamingPredictive coding under the free-energy principle3. What types of memory does sleep help you consolidate? - Answered by Yan WangThe whats and whens of sleep-dependent memory consolidationThe role of Sleep in declarative memory consolidation - direct evidence by intracranial EEGSleep, Memory, and Plasticity4. How does sleep change as you age? - Answered by Megan WadonSleep across the lifespanThe architecture of early childhood sleep Normal sleep in children and adolescence5. Why do adolescences sleep longer? - Answered by Martha NguyenNational Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendationsSleep in Children and Adolescents with Behavioral and Emotional DisordersSleep quality and adolescent default mode network connectivity 6. Does the menstrual cycle affect our sleep? - Answered by Marta WawrzutaChanges in sleeping energy metabolism and thermoregulation during menstrual cycle7. How do the seasons affect our sleep? - Answered by Sophie Smith Circadian entrainment to the Natural Light-Dark cycle across seasons and the weekendSeasonality of human sleep: polysomnographic data of a neuropsychiatric sleep clinicCheck out our NaPS website to find out more about the podcast, our research and events. This recording is the property of the Sleep Science Podcast and not for resale.

For our end of season special, we have the rest of the NaPS lab in to answer a number of exciting sleep-related questions from our listeners. These touch on a range of different subjects from sleeps involvement in weight gain to alcohol's effect on sleep. Thanks to those who sent in questions!List of Questions:1.     What is it in general anaesthetic that completely prevents a patient from waking up mid-surgery? Is this a similar state to being in a deep sleep or is this different entirely?  3:43 2.    Can having daytime naps improve your memory?  5:24 3.    Can a good sleep schedule help you lose weight?  6:404.    Why do people tend to have a deeper sleep after drinking alcohol?   8:265.   Can a lack of sleep really impact the way your brain works long term?  11:246.   Why do children with ASD struggle to fall asleep and maintain sleep?  12:547.   How does loud snoring or sleep talking wake up other people but not manage to wake up the person themselves?  16:13 8.  How does drinking lots of caffeinated drinks affect our sleep wake cycle?  19:179.   How does hibernation differ from a normal sleep in some animals?   21:0510.  When people say the term “just sleep on it” after a row or an emotional experience, is there any truth in this? Does sleep help you process emotions?   23:2411.  How much is sleep deprivation related to our immunity?  25:05This episode was produced by Bella Mills-Smith This recording is property of the sleep science podcast and not for resaleCheck out our NaPS website to find out more about the podcast, our research and events. This recording is the property of the Sleep Science Podcast and not for resale.