Understanding the connection between stress and sleep: From underlying mechanisms to therapeutic solutions

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to navigate through the nexus between stress and sleep, highlighting the neurobiological systems that connect them. Starting with an overview of neuroanatomy and physiology of stress and sleep, with a further detailed breakdown of sleep stages and key neuroanatomical centers that are responsible for sleep and wakefulness. Starting with suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in circadian rhythm and sleep regulation overview, with a center point on the molecular systems including the CLOCK/CRY and BMAL1/2/PER1/2 feedback loops. Following this is the neurobiological of stress, specifically the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic-adrenal (SPA) axis and influence on sleep. Vital neural circuits connecting stress and sleep are examined with the attention of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) GABA-somatostatin neurons and the locus coerules in sleep regulation in response to stress. In addition, neuroinflammation's role occurs through the cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α are investigated as a mediator of sleep disturbances caused by stress. It concludes by summarizing the implications of neuroinflammatory modulation in stress-related psychopathologies, emphasizing the opening this provides for interventions that target this inflammation helping to lighten sleep disorder.

Keywords: Corticotropin-releasing hormone; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Retinohypothalamic tract; Sleep; Ventral tegmental area.