Abstract

Healthy sleep supports robust development of the brain and behavior. Modern society presents a host of challenges that can impair and disrupt critical circadian rhythms that reinforce optimal physiological functioning, including the proper timing and consolidation of sleep. While the acute effects of inadequate sleep and disrupted circadian rhythms are being defined, the adverse developmental consequences of disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms are understudied. Here, we exposed mice to disrupting light–dark cycles from birth until weaning and demonstrate that such exposure has adverse impacts on brain and behavior as adults. Mice that experience early-life circadian disruption exhibit more anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze, poorer spatial memory in the Morris Water Maze, and impaired working memory in a delayed match-to-sample task. Additionally, neuron morphology in the amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex is adversely impacted. Pyramidal cells in these areas had smaller dendritic fields, and pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus also exhibited diminished branching orders. Disrupted mice were also hyperactive as adults, but otherwise exhibited no alteration in adult circadian locomotor rhythms. These results highlight that circadian disruption early in life may have long lasting and far-reaching consequences for the development of behavior and the brain.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35513413/

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Abstract

Sleep is vital to human bodily function. Growing evidence indicates that sleep deprivation, disruption, dysrhythmia, and disorders are associated with impaired reproductive function and poor clinical outcomes in women. These associations are largely mediated by molecular-genetic and hormonal pathways, which are crucial for the complex and time sensitive processes of hormone synthesis/secretion, folliculogenesis, ovulation, fertilization, implantation, and menstruation. Pathologic sleep patterns are closely linked to menstrual irregularity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian insufficiency, sub/infertility, and early pregnancy loss. Measures of success with assisted reproductive technology are also lower among women who engage in shift work, or experience sleep disruption or short sleep duration. Extremes of sleep duration, poor sleep quality, sleep disordered breathing, and shift work are also associated with several harmful conditions in pregnancy, including gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders. While accumulating evidence implicates pathologic sleep patterns in impaired reproductive function and poor reproductive outcomes, additional research is needed to determine causality and propose therapeutic interventions.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35042515/

© 2022. The Author(s).

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Highlights

•Anxiety was associated with problematic smartphone use and sleep disturbance among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

•Problematic smartphone use could exert not only a direct path on anxiety but also an indirect path on anxiety through the mediating path of sleep disturbance.

•Professional assistance and timely intervention should be provided to alleviate anxiety among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

•The detrimental impact of problematic smartphone use and the importance of sleep health on mitigating anxiety should be highlighted and incorporated into medical education.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032721010545

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Abstract

Study Objectives:

Our study aims to explore the associations between outdoor nighttime lights (ONL) and sleep patterns in the human population.

Methods:

Cross-sectional telephone study of a representative sample of the general US population age 18 y or older. 19,136 noninstitutionalized individuals (participation rate: 83.2%) were interviewed by telephone. The Sleep-EVAL expert system administered questions on life and sleeping habits; health; sleep, mental and organic disorders (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision; International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Second Edition; International Classification of Diseases, 10^th Edition). Individuals were geolocated by longitude and latitude. Outdoor nighttime light measurements were obtained from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS), with nighttime passes taking place between 19:30 and 22:30 local time. Light data were correlated precisely to the geolocation of each participant of the general population sample.

Results:

Living in areas with greater ONL was associated with delayed bedtime (P < 0.0001) and wake up time (P < 0.0001), shorter sleep duration (P < 0.01), and increased daytime sleepiness (P < 0.0001). Living in areas with greater ONL also increased the dissatisfaction with sleep quantity and quality (P < 0.0001) and the likelihood of having a diagnostic profile congruent with a circadian rhythm disorder (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Although they improve the overall safety of people and traffic, nighttime lights in our streets and cities are clearly linked with modifications in human sleep behaviors and also impinge on the daytime functioning of individuals living in areas with greater ONL.

Significance

The aim of this study was to quantify the relationship between the intensity of artificial Outdoor Nighttime Lights, the sleep wake schedule and the sleep disturbances in the general population of the United States. We found that Outdoor Nighttime Lights clearly impact human sleep and have consequences also on the daytime functioning of human beings.

https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/39/6/1311/2454030

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Brain protein helps explain link between circadian rhythm, Alzheimer’s disease

by Tamara Bhandari•December 16, 2020

Fractured sleep, daytime sleepiness and other signs of disturbance in one’s circadian rhythm are common complaints of people with Alzheimer’s disease, and the problems only get worse as the disease progresses. But the reason for the link between Alzheimer’s and circadian dysfunction is not well understood.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say that a clue may lie in the brain protein YKL-40. In a study published Dec. 16 in Science Translational Medicine, the researchers report that YKL-40 is both regulated by clock genes and involved in clearing away potentially toxic buildup of Alzheimer’s proteins in the brain. Moreover, Alzheimer’s patients who carry a genetic variant that reduces YKL-40 levels maintain their cognitive faculties longer than people without the variant, the scientists found.

The findings suggest that YKL-40 is a possible link between circadian rhythm dysfunction and Alzheimer’s, and that therapies targeting the protein may slow the course of the disease.

“If your circadian clock is not quite right for years and years — you routinely suffer from disrupted sleep at night and napping during the day — the cumulative effect of chronic dysregulation could influence inflammatory pathways such that you accumulate more amyloid plaques,” said senior author Erik Musiek, MD, PhD, an associate professor of neurology. Amyloid plaques in the brain are one of the early hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. “We hope that a better understanding of how the circadian clock affects YKL-40 could lead to a new strategy for reducing amyloid in the brain.”

Our daily rhythms are set by a master clock in the brain that is driven by the day and night cycle. Each cell also maintains its own internal clock, pegged to the master clock. A surprisingly broad array of biological processes — from sugar absorption to body temperature to immune and inflammatory responses — vary by time of day. Read more at: https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/protein-involved-in-removing-alzheimers-buildup-linked-to-circadian-rhythm/

Study:

Chi3l1/YKL-40 is controlled by the astrocyte circadian clock and regulates neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis

By Brian V. Lananna, Celia A. McKee, Melvin W. King, Jorge L. Del-Aguila, Julie M. Dimitry, Fabiana H. G. Farias, Collin J. Nadarajah, David D. Xiong, Chun Guo, Alexander J. Cammack, Jack A. Elias, Jinsong Zhang, Carlos Cruchaga, Erik S. Musiek

Science Translational Medicine 16 Dec 2020

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While the use of LEDs is becoming more widespread for lighting and LED objects are on the increase, ANSES published the update of its 2010 expertise on the health effects of LEDs in light of the new scientific knowledge available.

The Agency confirms the toxicity of blue light on the retina and highlights effects of disturbance of biological rhythms and sleep related to an exposure at night or at night to blue light, especially via screens and in particular for children.

The Agency therefore recommends limiting the use of LED devices that are the richest in blue light, especially for children, and reducing light pollution as much as possible to preserve the environment.

ANSES discusses: see https://www.anses.fr/fr/content/led-les-recommandations-de-l%E2%80%99anses-pour-limiter-l%E2%80%99exposition-%C3%A0-la-lumi%C3%A8re-bleue

New highlighted effects related to the blue light of LEDs

Change regulations and better inform the public about the risks associated with exposure to blue light

An impact on biodiversity and the environment

EMFSA’s translation of the above:

For more information:

-Press Kit PRES2019DPA01

-ANSES OPINION and REPORT on the effects on human health and the environment (fauna and flora) of systems using electroluning-light-emitting diodes (LEDs):

https://www.anses.fr/fr/system/files/AP2014SA0253Ra.pdf

-Effects on human health and the environment (fauna and flora) light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

https://www.anses.fr/fr/system/files/AP2014SA0253Ra-Anx.pdf

Toxic effect on the retina and disturbed sleep rhythm … these are the harmful effects. Some types of LED lights (light-emitting diodes), rich in “blue light”, have a toxic effect on the retina and disrupt our rhythm. sleep, warned this Tuesday the health security agency ANSES, which recommends to “limit the use”, “especially for children.”
Inexpensive, energy-efficient, long-lasting, LED lights “are expanding considerably” but are not safe, says the National Agency for Food Safety,  Environment Safety. and Labour (ANSES) See more at the link:

https://www.ledauphine.com/france-monde/2019/05/14/les-led-riches-en-lumiere-bleue-nefastes-pour-notre-sante

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Malikova MA

DOI: 10.15761/SCRR.1000104

Abstract

Objective : This is a study to assess the impact of the global system for mobile communication (GSM) mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on the main vessels of the brain.

Material and methods: This was a cross sectional study which included 55 volunteers between 18-66 years old, who were examined by stationary device Philips HD 11 expert class phased sectoral sensor with a frequency of 2-4MHz at the Ultrasonic and Functional Diagnostics Department of the Mirotvortseva hospital, which is affiliated with Saratov State Medical University (SSMU) and in the clinic ” Stroygrad Medical Center ” in Kirsanov city, Tambov region.

Results: The study included 55 volunteers between 18-66 years old (average age was 38.95 years) with permeable trans-temporal acoustic windows and without chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic cerebral ischemia, coronary heart disease and no initial spasm in middle cerebral artery (MCA). The study was conducted in the supine position with enabled mobile phone in talk mode for 7 minutes. The blood flow velocity (BFV) and resistive index (RI) in the MCA (middle cerebral artery) were measured on both sides at baseline and after 7 minutes of talking on a mobile phone. Cerebral vasospasm was considered if detected RI was 0.65 and above.

In order to minimize the measurement error, the same modern mobile phone was utilized for all studied subjects. The analysis of the data revealed an initial increase in the BFV and RI in the MCA in all patients by the end of 7 minutes of conversation.  Unilateral spasm of various degree was detected by ultrasound in the middle cerebral artery of 27 out of 55 examined patients (50%) after 7 minutes of them talking on a mobile phone. Average RI value was 0.66 ± 0.04 on the ipsilateral side of MCA with range of a minimum RI detected at 0.59, and maximum value of 0.75. On the contralateral side of MCA an average RI value was detected as 0.66 ± 0.04, with range of 0.60-0.74. Therefore, interaction with mobile phone for period of time up to 7 minutes in most cases gave rise to moderately expressed spasm on both sides. The results were independent of gender and blood pressure.

Conclusions: MCA spasm recorded as a result of prolonged mobile phone call (about 7 minutes), was detected in 60% of examined subjects, which may indicate the importance of this potential risk factor in causing headaches and other negative psychological factors (i.e. lack of attention, sleep disturbances, irritability etc.).

Introduction

The 21st century is the time of high level technology. There are a lot of gadgets of telecommunications in everyday use. The most popular gadgets are cell or mobile phones and smartphones. The dramatic worldwide increase in use of cellular phones has prompted concerns regarding potential harmful effects of exposure to radiofrequency-modulated electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). Of a particular concern has been the potential carcinogenic effects from the RF-EMF emissions of cell phones. [1] However, the results of epidemiologic studies, which examined association between the cell phone use and prevalence of brain tumors, have been inconsistent. Some studies showed increased risk, but the issue remains unresolved. [2]. RF-EMFs emitted by cell phones are absorbed in the brain within a range that could influence neuronal activity. [3] Thermal effects from RF-EMFs have also been invoked as a mechanism that could affect neuronal activity, although temperature changes produced by current cell phone technology are likely minimal. [4] Numerous studies have examined the effect of RF-EMR on a persons’ psychological status, the correlation between the duration of a call, and the development of cancer disease, etc. We found no results in current publications that demonstrated RF-EMR effect on brain vessels. It is well-established fact that persistent cerebral vasospasm causes persistent headaches, reduces efficiency, causes irritation, fatigue and disturbed sleep patterns. [5-8]

Discussion

When analyzing the data obtained, an increase in BFV and RI in the MCA was found in all 55 examined subjects (100%) after 7 minutes of exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phone device.

The spasm of various degree was detected bilaterally in the MCA in 22 examined subjects by the end of a long conversation on a mobile phone (40 %). The moderately expressed unilateral spasm (mean RI value 0.72) was observed in 11 subjects out of 55 studied in total (20 %), including men with average age of 23.3 years old and women with average age 36.6 years. We noted a trend that patients who were 45 years old and above were less affected by EMR. This observation can be attributed to the more rigid arterial walls in older patients.

The spasm with mild to severe degree was detected in the younger group of subjects (18-45 years old). The artery walls are more elastic and probably more prone to be affected by EMR at a younger age. Thus, ultrasound exam allowed to see changes in the brain artery in majority of patients bilaterally after 7 minutes of interaction with EMR emitted by the mobile phone.

Conclusions

In this pilot study the talk for more than 7 minutes on a cell phone in most cases (60%) led to the spasm of the main cerebral artery in the assessed subjects, which indicates the high importance of EMR as a potential risk factor for headaches and other negative psychological factors (i.e. lack of attention, disturbance of the structure of sleep, irritability, memory impairment, etc.). When comparing the occurrence of spasm between ipsilateral and contralateral sides of MCA, it was noted that in most cases the ipsilateral side of the MCA got affected mostly. However, in some patient’s unilateral changes of RI and BFV were observed in either ipsilateral or contralateral side of the MCA. This is a pilot study which requires further prospective, randomized, controlled investigations to fully understand the degree of the effect of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the cell phones on the blood vessels of the brain.

http://www.oatext.com/the-effect-of-mobile-phone-electromagnetic-radiation-on-brain-vessels.php#Article

References

1. Volkow N.D, Tomasi D, Wang G.J, Vaska P, Joanna S. Fowler J.S (2011) Effects of cell phone radiofrequency signal exposure on brain glucose metabolism. JAMA 305: 808–813 [Crossref]
2. Dubey RB1, Hanmandlu M, Gupta SK (2010) Risk of brain tumours from wireless phone use. J Comput Assist Tomogr 34: 799-807 [Crossref]
3. Kleinlogel H, Dierks T, Koenig T, Lehmann H, Minder A (2008) Effects of weak mobile phone–electromagnetic fields (GSM, UMTS) on event related potentials and cognitive functions. Bioelectromagnetics. 29: 488–497 [Crossref]
4. Wainwright P1 (2000) Thermal effects of radiation from cellular telephones. Phys Med Biol 45: 2363-2372 [Crossref]
5. Logg C.R, Tai C.K, Log A, Anderson W.F, Kasahara N (2001) A uniquely stable replication-competent vector achieves efficient gene delivery in vitro and in solid tumours. Human Gene Therapy. 12: 921-932 [Crossref]
6. Benson V.S, Pirie K, Schuz J, Reeves G.K, Beral V, Green J (2013) Mobile phone use and risk of brain neoplasms and other cancers: prospective study. Int J Epidemiol 42: 792-802 [Crossref]
7. Frei P, Poulsen A.H, Johansen C, Olsen J, Steding-Jessen M (2011) Use of mobile phones and risk of brain tumours: update of Danish cohort study. BMJ 11: 343

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Why? Because a brain with autism has inherent characteristics that screen time exacerbates. In truth, these impacts in occur in all of us, but children with autism will be both more prone to experiencing negative effects and less able to recover from them; their brains are more sensitive and less resilient.

As a framework for understanding these vulnerabilities, it’s helpful to know that screen time—particularly the interactive kind—acts like a stimulant, not unlike caffeine, amphetamines, or cocaine. Also know that children with autism are often sensitive to stimulants of all kinds, whether pharmaceutical or electronic. For example, children with autism and attention issues often can’t tolerate prescribed stimulants, a standard treatment for ADD/ADHD. Stimulants tend to make children with autism irritable, weepy, over-focused, more obsessive-compulsive, and unable to sleep. Stimulants can also exacerbate tics, self-injurious behaviors, aggression, and sensory issues.

In my own experience in working with children and adults with autism, screen time can precipitate regression (loss of language or of social or adaptive living skills), exacerbate repetitive behaviors, further restrict interests, and trigger aggressive and self-injurious behaviors. I’ve even seen regression occur when a communication device is introduced, often when the parents are told to encourage “play” on the device so the child can “get used to it.”

The proliferation of the iPad and smartphones has produced more problems and setbacks in my practice than any other single factor. Because the idea of eliminating screens can seem overwhelming, I typically recommend parents do a four week “electronic fast” as an experiment so they can get a taste of what the intervention can do. Families track two to three problematic areas to provide objective evidence, and are encouraged to document behaviors (such as screen time tantrums and how the child plays). Even a few short weeks can produce improvements that can be significant enough for the family to decide to continue with screen elimination, in which case the benefits will continue to build on one another. For link to full article please see: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201612/autism-and-screen-time-special-brains-special-risks

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