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Updated: Aug 24, 2025
08:20
Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
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Naturalistic Sleep Patterns are Linked to Global Structural Brain Aging in Adolescence
Adriane M Soehner1, Rebecca A Hayes2, Peter L Franzen1
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Summary
Later sleep timing in adolescents is linked to advanced brain aging, suggesting a potential behavioral correlate of brain development. This finding highlights the importance of sleep patterns for healthy neurological maturation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Individual differences in naturalistic sleep patterns are common in adolescents.
- Typical brain aging trajectories can be influenced by various factors.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for identifying potential interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between naturalistic sleep patterns and brain age gap in adolescents.
- To explore potential moderating effects of age, gender, and depression severity.
Main Methods:
- 251 psychiatrically healthy adolescents (9-25 years) underwent structural MRI and 5-7 days of actigraphy.
- Brain age was estimated from MRI, and brain age gap was calculated (estimated age - chronological age).
- Robust regressions analyzed associations between sleep patterns (duration, timing, continuity, regularity) and brain age gap.
Main Results:
- Later midsleep timing was significantly associated with a larger brain age gap (more advanced brain aging).
- No significant associations were found between brain age gap and sleep duration, continuity, or regularity.
- Exploratory analyses suggested a potential gender difference, but this did not reach statistical significance after correction.
Conclusions:
- Later midsleep timing may be a behavioral correlate of more advanced brain aging in adolescents.
- Further research is needed to explore the causal relationship and long-term implications for cognitive and emotional outcomes.
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