The Effect of Sleep Deprivation and Recovery Sleep on Emotional Memory and Affective Reactivity

Description

To further understand the impact of acute sleep deprivation and recovery sleep on the processing of emotional information the investigators will address and attempt to answer three questions, (i) how both undisturbed sleep and sleep deprivation affect the processing and retrieval of emotional information, (ii) what neural and psychophysiological mechanisms are associated with these behavioral effects, and (iii) to explore the ability of recovery sleep to reverse the effects of sleep deprivation. Together, these studies will provide a greater breadth and depth of knowledge concerning sleep's role in emotion processing and regulation. Given the growing societal tendency to view sleep as unproductive-foregoing it to lengthen work days and increase social opportunities- such knowledge would be of practical importance for understanding the role of sleep in healthy emotional functioning, particular for individuals experiencing periods of increased stress and emotional distress (e.g., new parents, hospital staff, or combat troops).

Conditions

Sleep Deprivation, Sleep

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

To further understand the impact of acute sleep deprivation and recovery sleep on the processing of emotional information the investigators will address and attempt to answer three questions, (i) how both undisturbed sleep and sleep deprivation affect the processing and retrieval of emotional information, (ii) what neural and psychophysiological mechanisms are associated with these behavioral effects, and (iii) to explore the ability of recovery sleep to reverse the effects of sleep deprivation. Together, these studies will provide a greater breadth and depth of knowledge concerning sleep's role in emotion processing and regulation. Given the growing societal tendency to view sleep as unproductive-foregoing it to lengthen work days and increase social opportunities- such knowledge would be of practical importance for understanding the role of sleep in healthy emotional functioning, particular for individuals experiencing periods of increased stress and emotional distress (e.g., new parents, hospital staff, or combat troops).

The Effect of Sleep Deprivation and Recovery Sleep on Emotional Memory and Affective Reactivity

The Effect of Sleep Deprivation and Recovery Sleep on Emotional Memory and Affective Reactivity

Condition
Sleep Deprivation
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Boston

Tony Cunningham, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * willing and able to follow the protocol
  • * willing and able to meet inclusion criteria for fMRI scanning
  • * willing to refrain from alcohol and recreational drugs for the duration of the protocol
  • * normal or corrected to normal vision is required
  • * self-reported sleep disturbances
  • * left-handedness or ambidexterity
  • * a history of mental illness or neurological disorder
  • * the use of any drugs that could affect either sleep or cognitive functioning (e.g., sleeping pills or antidepressants)

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,

Tony Cunningham, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Study Record Dates

2025-12-31