title: Cognitive performance and cardiovascular markers of hyperarousal in primary insomnia.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to assess differences in cardiovascular activity and cognitive performance between insomniacs and good sleepers. Sixteen undergraduates participated in the study, eight insomniacs (age 22.9 ± 2.4) enrolled in accord with DSM-IV criteria for primary insomnia, and eight good sleepers (24.8 ± 2.7) were controls. The task employed, Stop Signal Task, assesses motor inhibition processes and was administered in two sessions, before and after a night of polysomnographic recording. During task performance, cardiovascular measures such as heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), pre-ejection period (PEP) and left ventricular ejection time (LVET) were continuously recorded by means of impedance cardiography. Performance results showed prolonged Stop Signal Delay (SSD) in the morning in both groups and slower Stop Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) in insomniacs compared with good sleepers, while no effects were observed for performance accuracy. Analyses performed on cardiovascular parameters revealed higher HR and lower LVET values in the insomnia group as compared to healthy controls in the evening. PEP, an index inversely related to sympathetic beta-adrenergic activity, was continuously reduced in insomniacs, indicating constantly enhanced sympathetic activation. These findings suggest a deficit of motor inhibition control in insomnia, matched with high levels of cardiovascular arousal. Overall, our results support the notion that insomniacs suffer from both cognitive deficits and a hyperarousal disorder affecting somatic activity, that contribute to diurnal complaints often referred in addition to sleep disruption.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy. naima.covassin@unipd.it
authors.forename: Naima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Covassin
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Zambotti
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarlo
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Min Tona
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarasso
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stegagno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult