The Relationship Between Sleep and the Brain: New Insights into Sleep Disorders and Their Effects on Mental Health, Cognition, and Quality of Life

Dear Colleagues,

Following the seminal discovery of REM sleep in the early 1950s, knowledge about sleep and its functions has progressively increased to finally recognize sleep as a fundamental period of rest and recovery not only for the brain, but also for whole-body physiological functions.

The significant role of sleep is now considered not only in clinical settings, with sleep disorders being definite symptoms in mood disorders, anxiety, Alzheimer's, and autism spectrum disorder, but also daily life, with sleep duration and quality impacting school and work performances, having important implications for safety and economy as well.

The traditional view suggests that sleep is regulated by the interaction of the day–night circadian rhythm and sleep homeostasis, with sleep pressure that builds up during the day being dissipated during the night throughout delta sleep.

Circadian rhythmicity and sleep homeostasis have been considered mutually independent processes, and sleep dynamics mainly reflected by delta sleep; however, recent studies on sleep recovery following sleep restriction and the expression of clock genes in response to sleep perturbations have questioned such basic assumptions, leading to efforts in better understanding sleep and its regulation/function. The role of REM sleep and its ultradian rhythmicity as an important period for sleep quality and emotional balance has also been highlighted in recent studies.

Furthermore, sleep reduction, frequently occurring in our 24/7 society, has had a profound impact, with the sleep period that should fit in a restricted dark time window. The widespread use of artificial light during early night hours has also produced a delay in circadian rhythms, with a significant effect, especially on melatonin and REM sleep. Seasonal variation of photoperiod, although masked by use of artificial light, should also be considered when looking at sleep duration and circadian rhythm alterations.

This Special Issue will focus on new insights into sleep regulation and function, looking at the assessment of physiological and cognitive variables in normal subjects who experience conditions that can alter sleep duration and rhythmicity (i.e., ability to sustain attention, vigilance in shift workers and air traffic controllers), and in clinical conditions, such as mood disorders and autism spectrum disorder, where sleep disturbance is considered either a biological marker and/or a core pathophysiological component. The role of biological rhythms in time perception and memory processing will also be addressed. 

Dr. Giuseppe Barbato
Guest Editor

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