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Sleep Dysfunction and Grey Matter Volume

  • Sleep (M. Thorpy and M. Billiard, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

With the voxel-based morphometry (VBM), structural imaging studies turned into new directions aiming to explore neurological disorders differently. This approach helps identify possible pathophysiological correlations between neuroanatomical grey matter (GM) structures in patients with sleep dysfunction. This article reviews recent findings on GM structure in various sleep disorders and possible causes of disturbed sleep and discusses the future perspectives.

Recent Findings

At present, research on the effect of GM volume changes in specific brain areas on the pathogenesis of sleep disturbances is incomplete. It remains unknown if the GM thickness reduction in patients with REM sleep behaviour disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and insomnia is due to complex disease presentation or direct response to disturbed sleep. Additionally, many VBM studies have yielded inconsistent results showing either reduction or increase in GM.

Summary

The spatiotemporal complexity of whole-brain networks and state transitions during sleep and the role of GM changes increase new debates. Having multimodal data from large sample studies can help model sleep network dynamics in different disorders and provide novel data for possible therapeutic interventions.

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  1. Department of Neurology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas , Lithuania

    Gintare Paulekiene, Milda Pajarskiene & Evelina Pajediene

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences , Kaunas, Lithuania

    Andrius Radziunas

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Correspondence to Evelina Pajediene.

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Paulekiene, G., Pajarskiene, M., Pajediene, E. et al. Sleep Dysfunction and Grey Matter Volume. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 22, 275–283 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-022-01190-x

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