Sleep alterations following exposure to stress predict fear-associated memory impairments in a rodent model of PTSD

William M Vanderheyden; Sophie A George; Lea Urpa; Michaela Kehoe; Israel Liberzon; Gina R Poe

doi:10.1007/s00221-015-4302-0

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Sleep alterations following exposure to stress predict fear-associated memory impairments in a rodent model of PTSD

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Sleep alterations following exposure to stress predict fear-associated memory impairments in a rodent model of PTSD

William M Vanderheyden, Sophie A George, Lea Urpa, Michaela Kehoe, Israel Liberzon and Gina R Poe

Experimental brain research, Vol.233(8), pp.2335-2346

08/2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-015-4302-0

Handle:

https://hdl.handle.net/2376/115064

PMCID: PMC4827610

PMID: 26019008

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-015-4302-0View

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Abstract

Brain Waves - physiology

Memory Disorders - physiopathology

Mental Recall

Sleep, REM - physiology

Rats, Long-Evans

Rats

Male

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - physiopathology

Fear - physiology

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - complications

Behavior, Animal

Animals

Memory Disorders - etiology

Extinction, Psychological

Biomarkers

Sleep Wake Disorders - physiopathology

Sleep Wake Disorders - etiology

Disease Models, Animal

Sleep abnormalities, such as insomnia, nightmares, hyper-arousal, and difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, are diagnostic criteria of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The vivid dream state, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, has been implicated in processing emotional memories. We have hypothesized that REM sleep is maladaptive in those suffering from PTSD. However, the precise neurobiological mechanisms regulating sleep disturbances following trauma exposure are poorly understood. Using single prolonged stress (SPS), a well-validated rodent model of PTSD, we measured sleep alterations in response to stressor exposure and over a subsequent 7-day isolation period during which the PTSD-like phenotype develops. SPS resulted in acute increases in REM sleep and transition to REM sleep, and decreased waking in addition to alterations in sleep architecture. The severity of the PTSD-like phenotype was later assessed by measuring freezing levels on a fear-associated memory test. Interestingly, the change in REM sleep following SPS was significantly correlated with freezing behavior during extinction recall assessed more than a week later. Reductions in theta (4-10 Hz) and sigma (10-15 Hz) band power during transition to REM sleep also correlated with impaired fear-associated memory processing. These data reveal that changes in REM sleep, transition to REM sleep, waking, and theta and sigma power may serve as sleep biomarkers to identify individuals with increased susceptibility to PTSD following trauma exposure.

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Title: Sleep alterations following exposure to stress predict fear-associated memory impairments in a rodent model of PTSD
Creators: William M Vanderheyden - Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, 7433 Medical Sciences Building 1, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
Sophie A George
Lea Urpa
Michaela Kehoe
Israel Liberzon
Gina R Poe
Publication Details: Experimental brain research, Vol.233(8), pp.2335-2346
Academic Unit: Biomedical Sciences, Department of
Publisher: Germany
Grant note: T32 HL110952 / NHLBI NIH HHS R01 MH060670 / NIMH NIH HHS T32HL110952-01A1 / NHLBI NIH HHS R25 GM086262 / NIGMS NIH HHS NIHRO1-MH60670 / NIMH NIH HHS
Identifiers: 99900547946901842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article