- A new study warns that sleep disorders, including insomnia, can lead to distinct structural changes in brain areas vital for attention, decision-making, and emotional control.
- Researchers conducted a broad analysis of 57 brain imaging studies to understand how different sleep disorders are associated with specific brain alterations.
- Parasomnias, such as sleepwalking and nightmare disorder, were linked to changes in the posterior cingulate cortex, potentially explaining shifts in mood and emotional regulation.
- Both parasomnia and dyssomnia were found to be connected to decreased activity in the brain's thalamus, a region crucial for filtering information and supporting concentration.
- The findings are expected to guide earlier diagnosis, personalised treatments, and interventions aimed at improving sleep and protecting brain systems.
IN FULL
