Sleepless nights linked to brain changes in study

Insomnia is linked with abnormalities in the brain's white matter -- the tissues that form connections and carry information between different parts of the brain, a small Chinese study suggests. The researchers said these disruptions occur in areas of the brain involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness as well as cognitive function. The researchers explained that white matter tracts are bundles made up of long fibers of nerve cells that connect one part of the brain to another. "If white matter tracts are impaired, communication between brain regions is disrupted," said researcher Shumei Li. She's from the department of Medical Imaging at Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
Although the study found an association between white tract matter abnormalities and insomnia, it wasn't designed to prove cause-and-effect. People with primary insomnia have ongoing trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This nightly tossing and turning isn't related to another medical condition or known cause, according to the researchers.
It can lead to daytime sleepiness and cognitive impairment. Some people with primary insomnia also suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, the researchers said. Up to 5 percent of adults have this sleep disorder, but it's unclear exactly why they can't sleep and how the condition affects their brain, the researchers noted. "Insomnia is a remarkably prevalent disorder," said Li. "However, its causes and consequences remain elusive."
For the study, the researchers recruited 23 patients with primary insomnia and 30 healthy volunteers. All of the participants completed surveys that enabled study authors to evaluate their mental status and sleep patterns.
    HealthDay

Sleepless nights linked to brain changes in study

Insomnia is linked with abnormalities in the brains white matter -- the tissues that form connections and carry information between different parts of the brain, a small Chinese study suggests. The researchers said these disruptions occur in areas of the brain involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness as well as cognitive function. The researchers explained that white matter tracts are bundles made up of long fibers of nerve cells that connect one part of the brain to another. If white matter tracts are impaired, communication between brain regions is disrupted, said researcher Shumei Li. Shes from the department of Medical Imaging at Guangdong No. 2 Provincial Peoples Hospital, Guangzhou, China. Although the study found an association between white tract matter abnormalities and insomnia, it wasnt designed to prove cause-and-effect. People with primary insomnia have ongoing trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This nightly tossing and turning isnt related to another medical condition or known cause, according to the researchers. It can lead to daytime sleepiness and cognitive impairment. Some people with primary insomnia also suffer from depression and anxiety disorders, the researchers said. Up to 5 percent of adults have this sleep disorder, but its unclear exactly why they cant sleep and how the condition affects their brain, the researchers noted. Insomnia is a remarkably prevalent disorder, said Li. However, its causes and consequences remain elusive. For the study, the researchers recruited 23 patients with primary insomnia and 30 healthy volunteers. All of the participants completed surveys that enabled study authors to evaluate their mental status and sleep patterns. HealthDay