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Brain Sciences May 2024Lucid dreaming involves becoming aware that one's current experience is a dream, which has similarities with the notion of mindfulness-becoming aware of moment-to-moment...
Lucid dreaming involves becoming aware that one's current experience is a dream, which has similarities with the notion of mindfulness-becoming aware of moment-to-moment changes in experience. Additionally, meta-awareness, the ability to explicitly notice the current content of one's own mental state, has also been proposed to play an important role both in lucid dreaming and mindfulness meditation practices. However, research has shown conflicting strengths of associations between mindfulness, meditation, and lucid dreaming frequency, and the link between lucid dreaming and meta-awareness has not yet been empirically studied. This study evaluated the associations between lucid dreaming frequency and different meditation practice styles, mindfulness traits, and individual differences in meta-awareness through an online survey ( = 635). The results suggest that daily frequent meditators experience more lucid dreams than non-frequent meditators. However, weekly frequent meditators did not have a higher lucid dreaming frequency. A positive association was observed between open monitoring styles of meditation and lucid dreaming. The findings also indicate that meta-awareness is higher for meditators and weekly lucid dreamers. Furthermore, frequent lucid dreaming was commonly associated with a non-reactive stance and experiencing transcendence. Overall, the findings suggest a positive relationship between specific meditation practices and lucid dreaming as well as the importance of meta-awareness as a cognitive process linking meditation, mindfulness, and lucid dreaming.
PubMed: 38790474
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050496 -
Brain Sciences May 2024Clinical case illustrations of patients with an impairment of personality functioning (IPF) have repeatedly reported that progress during psychotherapy is reflected by...
BACKGROUND
Clinical case illustrations of patients with an impairment of personality functioning (IPF) have repeatedly reported that progress during psychotherapy is reflected by alterations in dream content. However, quantitative studies based on samples of psychotherapy patients are scarce. As a core component of both personality functioning and contemporary psychodynamic dream theory, the construct of affect regulation is of specific significance in this context.
AIMS
To test if improvement in personality functioning in the course of psychotherapy is associated with an increasing ability to regulate affects in dreams.
METHOD
In a longitudinal design, affect regulation was compared in N = 94 unsolicited dream reports from the first vs. last third of long term psychotherapy of ten patients with initial IPF. Dream reports were transcribed from recordings of the sessions. Expert ratings of the level of personality functioning were obtained using the Scales of Psychological Capacities. The capacity for affect regulation was assessed using the Zurich Dream Process Coding System. Group differences were assessed using linear mixed models, controlling for dream length as well as the nested structure of this data set.
RESULTS
Patients demonstrated an increased capacity for affect regulation in dreams that was primarily evident in three core features: the complexity of dream elements (cf., e.g., parameter attributes, = 0.024); the extent of affective involvement in the dream ego (cf., e.g., parameter subject feeling, = 0.014); and the flexibility to regulate the dynamics of safety/involvement processes ( ≤ 0.001). This pattern was especially prominent in a subgroup (n = 7) of patients with more pronounced improvements in personality functioning.
CONCLUSION
These findings support the hypotheses that decreasing IPF during psychotherapy is associated with increases in the capacity for affect regulation in dreams. Thus, researchers and therapists can utilize dream reports to illuminate the important aspects of treatment progress in clinical practice.
PubMed: 38790467
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050489 -
Brain Sciences May 2024The COVID-19 pandemic increased symptoms of stress and anxiety and induced changes in sleep quality, dream activity, and parasomnia episodes. It has been shown that...
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic increased symptoms of stress and anxiety and induced changes in sleep quality, dream activity, and parasomnia episodes. It has been shown that stressful factors and/or bad sleep habits can affect parasomnia behaviors. However, investigations on how COVID-19 has affected sleep, dreams, and episode frequency in parasomnias are rare. The current study focuses on the impact of the pandemic on a specific parasomnia characterized by speech production (sleep talking, ST).
METHODS
We selected 27 participants with frequent ST episodes (STs) during the pandemic and compared them with 27 participants with frequent STs from a previous study conducted during a pre-pandemic period. All participants performed home monitoring through sleep logs and recorded their nocturnal STs for one week.
RESULTS
We observed a higher frequency of STs in the pandemic group. Moreover, STs were related to the emotional intensity of dreams, independent of the pandemic condition. The pandemic was associated with lower bizarreness of dreams in the pandemic group. There were no differences in sleep variables between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Overall, these results suggest a stressful effect of COVID-19 on the frequency of STs. Both the pandemic and the frequency of STs affect qualitative characteristics of dreams in this population.
PubMed: 38790464
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050486 -
Brain Sciences Apr 2024Lucid dreaming (LD) is a physiological state of consciousness that occurs when dreamers become aware that they are dreaming, and may also control the oneiric content. In... (Review)
Review
Lucid dreaming (LD) is a physiological state of consciousness that occurs when dreamers become aware that they are dreaming, and may also control the oneiric content. In the general population, LD is spontaneously rare; thus, there is great interest in its induction. Here, we aim to review the literature on neuropsychopharmacological induction of LD. First, we describe the circadian and homeostatic processes of sleep regulation and the mechanisms that control REM sleep with a focus on neurotransmission systems. We then discuss the neurophysiology and phenomenology of LD to understand the main cortical oscillations and brain areas involved in the emergence of lucidity during REM sleep. Finally, we review possible exogenous substances-including natural plants and artificial drugs-that increase metacognition, REM sleep, and/or dream recall, thus with the potential to induce LD. We found that the main candidates are substances that increase cholinergic and/or dopaminergic transmission, such as galantamine. However, the main limitation of this technique is the complexity of these neurotransmitter systems, which challenges interpreting results in a simple way. We conclude that, despite these promising substances, more research is necessary to find a reliable way to pharmacologically induce LD.
PubMed: 38790404
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050426 -
Nature Communications May 2024Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a crucial role in transcriptional regulation and are implicated in various diseases, including cancer. They are involved in histone...
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a crucial role in transcriptional regulation and are implicated in various diseases, including cancer. They are involved in histone tail deacetylation and canonically linked to transcriptional repression. Previous studies suggested that HDAC recruitment to cell-cycle gene promoters via the retinoblastoma (RB) protein or the DREAM complex through SIN3B is essential for G1/S and G2/M gene repression during cell-cycle arrest and exit. Here we investigate the interplay among DREAM, RB, SIN3 proteins, and HDACs in the context of cell-cycle gene repression. Knockout of SIN3B does not globally derepress cell-cycle genes in non-proliferating HCT116 and C2C12 cells. Loss of SIN3A/B moderately upregulates several cell-cycle genes in HCT116 cells but does so independently of DREAM/RB. HDAC inhibition does not induce general upregulation of RB/DREAM target genes in arrested transformed or non-transformed cells. Our findings suggest that E2F:RB and DREAM complexes can repress cell-cycle genes without relying on HDAC activity.
Topics: Humans; Histone Deacetylases; HCT116 Cells; Repressor Proteins; E2F Transcription Factors; Retinoblastoma Protein; Mice; Animals; Sin3 Histone Deacetylase and Corepressor Complex; Kv Channel-Interacting Proteins; Cell Cycle; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes, cdc
PubMed: 38789411
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48724-0 -
Psychiatry Research Jul 2024This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-pregnancy, prenatal and perinatal exposures to cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the risk of autism spectrum...
This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-pregnancy, prenatal and perinatal exposures to cannabis use disorder (CUD) and the risk of autism spectrum disoder (ASD) in offspring. Data were drawn from the New South Wales (NSW) Perinatal Data Collection (PDC), population-based, linked administrative health data encompassing all-live birth cohort from January 2003 to December 2005. This study involved 222 534 mother-offspring pairs. . The exposure variable (CUD) and the outcome of interest (ASD) were identified using the 10th international disease classification criteria, Australian Modified (ICD-10-AM). We found a three-fold increased risk of ASD in the offspring of mothers with maternal CUD compared to non-exposed offspring. In our sensitivity analyses, male offspring have a higher risk of ASD associated with maternal CUD than their female counterparts. In conclusion, exposure to maternal CUD is linked to a higher risk of ASD in offspring, with a stronger risk in male offspring. Further research is needed to understand these gender-specific effects and the relationship between maternal CUD and ASD risk in children.
Topics: Humans; Female; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Male; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Adult; Cohort Studies; Marijuana Abuse; New South Wales; Child; Young Adult; Information Storage and Retrieval; Child, Preschool; Sex Factors
PubMed: 38788554
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115971 -
Neural Networks : the Official Journal... Sep 2024In this work we approach attractor neural networks from a machine learning perspective: we look for optimal network parameters by applying a gradient descent over a...
In this work we approach attractor neural networks from a machine learning perspective: we look for optimal network parameters by applying a gradient descent over a regularized loss function. Within this framework, the optimal neuron-interaction matrices turn out to be a class of matrices which correspond to Hebbian kernels revised by a reiterated unlearning protocol. Remarkably, the extent of such unlearning is proved to be related to the regularization hyperparameter of the loss function and to the training time. Thus, we can design strategies to avoid overfitting that are formulated in terms of regularization and early-stopping tuning. The generalization capabilities of these attractor networks are also investigated: analytical results are obtained for random synthetic datasets, next, the emerging picture is corroborated by numerical experiments that highlight the existence of several regimes (i.e., overfitting, failure and success) as the dataset parameters are varied.
Topics: Neural Networks, Computer; Machine Learning; Algorithms; Neurons; Humans
PubMed: 38788291
DOI: 10.1016/j.neunet.2024.106389 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research Jul 2024This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship of nightmares with cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hypertension and hyperlipidemia which are major...
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship of nightmares with cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hypertension and hyperlipidemia which are major preceding diseases of CVD in older adults.
METHODS
Participants (n = 2824; mean age 63.6 ± 6.6 years, females 49.3%) completed the Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI), which was used to divide the sample into either the Nightmare or Non-Nightmare group (cut-off score ≥ 10). Demographic information, history of CVD (cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and self-report questionnaires about stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and insomnia symptoms were also collected.
RESULTS
Among the sample, 379 participants (13.4%) reported experiencing nightmares more than once a year, and 73 participants (2.6%) were classified as having nightmare disorder based on DDNSI scores (≥10). 11.3% of participants (n = 319) reported having more than one CVD. Approximately half of the participants reported a history of hypertension (52.1%, n = 1471) and hyperlipidemia (47.7%, n = 1346). Logistic regression analysis indicated the Nightmare group was 2.04 times at higher risk for hyperlipidemia (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.22-3.40, p = .006) after controlling for covariates compared to the Non-Nightmare group. Although non-significant, there was a trend toward a higher risk of hypertension in the Nightmare group (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 0.99-2.84, p = .056).
CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study indicate frequent nightmares in older adults may be associated with hyperlipidemia, which are risk factors for CVD. Further studies are needed to explore nightmares' directionality and health consequences in an aging population.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dreams; Hyperlipidemias; Middle Aged; Hypertension; Aged; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Factors; Depression
PubMed: 38788282
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111669 -
Technology and Health Care : Official... May 2024Physical education and training are essential ways to improve the physical quality of the nation, and China has incorporated "building a healthy China" and "fitness for...
BACKGROUND
Physical education and training are essential ways to improve the physical quality of the nation, and China has incorporated "building a healthy China" and "fitness for all" into its national development strategy, integrating a strong sports nation into the Chinese dream.
OBJECTIVE
The study of digital recording and automated training in sports is of profound value. Motion capture technology can digitally record the training process in a digital physical education training system. At the same time, accurate modeling and calculation can analyze the training effects and give appropriate guidance and feedback. This study develops a new and improved hierarchical K-means algorithm by combining the known classification algorithm K-means with a hierarchical algorithm.
METHODS
The performance of the old and new algorithms are compared and then applied to physical education training data to produce clustering results and analysis to reduce the model, which is used to reduce the number of parameters in the model and improve the recognition speed.
RESULTS
The experimental results demonstrate that the relevant models proposed in this study achieve an average accuracy of 91.27% and 92.26%, respectively, which is better than a single network model and can effectively use big data for health event detection.
CONCLUSION
The empirical results show that the improved model algorithm outperforms the single network model and can detect health events using big data.
PubMed: 38788100
DOI: 10.3233/THC-231417 -
European Journal of Investigation in... Apr 2024Long COVID refers to the persistence or development of signs and symptoms well after the acute phase of COVID-19.
BACKGROUND
Long COVID refers to the persistence or development of signs and symptoms well after the acute phase of COVID-19.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
To investigate the long-term outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in terms of psychological, social, and relational consequences within the Italian population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, and multicenter study using an online questionnaire distributed to a sample of the Italian population. By utilizing the Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) and the Hikikomori scale, we assessed perceived quality of life and social isolation, respectively. The questionnaire also included an open-answer question: "What will you remember about the pandemic period?". We used generative artificial intelligence to analyze and summarize the corresponding answers.
RESULTS
A total of 1097 people participated in this study. A total of 79.3% (n = 870) of participants declared that they had been hospitalized and 62.8% (n = 689) received home care. Physical symptoms included headaches (43%, n = 472) and asthma (30.4%, n = 334). Additionally, 29.2% (n = 320) developed an addiction during the pandemic and, among these, 224 claimed internet addiction while 73 declared an emotional addiction. Furthermore, 51.8% (n = 568) experienced limitations in carrying out daily life activities. According to the Hikikomori scale, participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibited higher levels of isolation compared to the others ( < 0.001). Participants without COVID-19 showed higher levels of emotional support ( < 0.001). Our semiautomatic analysis of the open-ended responses, obtained by a procedure based on a free large language model, allowed us to deduce and summarize the main feelings expressed by the interviewees regarding the pandemic.
CONCLUSIONS
The data collected emphasize the urgent need to investigate the consequences of long COVID in order to implement interventions to support psychological well-being.
PubMed: 38785574
DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe14050076