Partial sleep deprivation impacts impulsive action but not impulsive decision-making.
Sleep deprivation may lead to increased impulsivity, however, previous literature has focused on examining effects of total sleep deprivation (TSD) rather than the more common condition, partial sleep deprivation (PSD) or 'short sleep'. Moreover, it has been unclear whether PSD impacts impulse-related cognitive processes, and specifically if it differentially affects impulsive action versus impulsive decision-making. We sought to determine if short compared to long sleep (6 vs. 9h/night) impacts impulsive action via behavioral inhibition (Go/No-Go), and/or impulsive decision-making processes of risk taking (Balloon Analogue Risk Task [BART]) and preferences for immediate over delayed rewards (Delay Discounting). In a within-subject design, 34 participants (71% female, mean age=37.0years, SD=10.54) were assigned to four consecutive nights of 6h/night (short sleep) and 9h/night (long sleep) in their own home in random counterbalanced order. Sleep was measured via wrist-worn actigraphs to confirm adherence to the sleep schedules (mean short sleep=5.9h, SD=0.3; mean long sleep=8.6h, SD=0.3, p<0.001). The Go/No-Go, BART, and Delay Discounting tasks were completed following both sleep conditions. Participants had more inhibition errors on the Go/No-Go task after short (mean false alarms=19.79%, SD=14.51) versus long sleep (mean=15.97%, SD=9.51, p=0.039). This effect was strongest in participants reporting longer habitual time in bed (p=0.04). There were no differences in performance following long- versus short-sleep for either delay discounting or the BART (p's>0.4). Overall, these results indicate that four days of PSD diminishes behavioral inhibition abilities, but may not alter impulsive decision-making. These findings contribute to the emerging understanding of how partial sleep deprivation, currently an epidemic, impacts cognitive ability. Future research should continue to explore the connection between PSD and cognitive functions, and ways to minimize the occurrence and negative consequences of short sleep.
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miriam Hospital, Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI, United States. Electronic address: kathryn_demos@brown.edu.
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Demos
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miriam Hospital, Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI, United States; Center for Obesity Research & Education, Department of Public Health, Temple University, United States.
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Hart
Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.
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Sweet
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miriam Hospital, Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI, United States.
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Mailloux
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miriam Hospital, Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI, United States.
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Trautvetter
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miriam Hospital, Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI, United States.
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Williams
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miriam Hospital, Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI, United States.
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Wing
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Miriam Hospital, Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center, Providence, RI, United States.
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McCaffery
D056044:Actigraphy; D000328:Adult; D065786:Delay Discounting; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012201:Reward; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Actigraphy; Cognitive function; Impulsivity; Inhibitory control; Partial sleep deprivation; Sleep