Sleep Medicine ReviewsPub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102229
Wan-Qi Zhang , Xiao-Lin Li , Rui-Peng Xu , Yu-Long Li , Peng-Fei Hu , Ka-Hing Wong , Zhong-Yang Lin , Qiong-Qiong Yang , Bo-Bo Zhang
{"title":"Advances in sleep research based on the Caenorhabditis elegans: an intestinal microbiota perspective and cutting-edge technology applications","authors":"Wan-Qi Zhang , Xiao-Lin Li , Rui-Peng Xu , Yu-Long Li , Peng-Fei Hu , Ka-Hing Wong , Zhong-Yang Lin , Qiong-Qiong Yang , Bo-Bo Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102229","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102229","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sleep disorders affect approximately 27 % of the global population, driving non-pharmacological research on gut-brain axis regulation. Understanding sleep mechanisms is crucial, given its profound impact on health and disease. <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em> (<em>C. elegans</em>) offers a powerful model for dissecting fundamental sleep processes, owing to its compact and fully mapped nervous system, genetic tractability, and suitability for high-throughput screening. This review leverages <em>C. elegans</em> integrated with gene editing, high-throughput behavioral phenotyping, and calcium imaging to dissect gut microbiota's role in sleep modulation. We explore how microbial metabolites regulate sleep via gut-brain pathways and summarize conserved sleep-related molecular mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to decode gut-brain-sleep axis interactions, offering novel mechanistic insights into sleep disorder pathophysiology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"85 ","pages":"Article 102229"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hypnosis as therapy for non-REM parasomnia: A literature review","authors":"Geoffroy Solelhac , Nina Rimorini , Chantal Berna , Francesca Siclari","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This systematic review provides an overview of the use of medical hypnosis for non-rapid eye movement parasomnias. It aims to describe the hypnotic inductions and suggestions applied in this context and assess their reported effectiveness. From a total of 427 articles identified through a comprehensive search of major medical databases, 24 studies met inclusion criteria. The majority were individual case reports or small case series, with only one study using a controlled design. Across these studies, 348 individuals with non-rapid eye movement parasomnias were described, with 148 receiving treatments with hypnosis. A positive clinical response was reported in approximately 82.6 % of these treated cases. However, the overall quality of evidence was low, with most studies offering limited methodological robustness and lacking standardized outcome measures. The hypnotic induction and suggestion techniques varied widely, yet general suggestions aimed at improving sleep quality were more frequently reported than specific ones targeting parasomnia features. Nevertheless, the more specific suggestions seemed to have better outcomes. This review suggests that hypnosis could be a promising therapeutic option. However, further, well-designed trials are required, including objective outcome evaluation, and standardized, targeted hypnotic approaches developed collaboratively between sleep and hypnosis specialists.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"85 ","pages":"Article 102227"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sleep Medicine ReviewsPub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102230
Thomas J. Balkin, Allen R. Braun
{"title":"How does the brain “know” when it has had enough sleep? A hypothesis","authors":"Thomas J. Balkin, Allen R. Braun","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>According to the two process model, sleep timing and duration are determined by the interaction of process S (the sleep homeostat) and process C (the circadian drive for alertness). Although originally invoked to account only for sleep inertia effects (post-awakening performance deficits), there is evidence that process W is also active during sleep, and that it serves a sleep-preserving function that is partly independent of processes S and C. This suggests that initiation of the natural, spontaneous awakening process at the end of an adequately restorative sleep period is not passively triggered by the combined effects of a reduced process S and an ascendant process C alone – it also requires that a process W-mediated barrier against awakening be breached. It is hypothesized that one function of REM sleep is to periodically test the level of stimulation needed to breach this barrier, with the extent to which cortical reactivation occurs during REM sleep reflecting the brain's level of sleep satiation. It is further hypothesized that this REM-elicited neuronal reactivation information is processed (possibly in the medial prefrontal cortex) to determine readiness for awakening, and this information is communicated (e.g., via the lateral hypothalamus) to the REM/NREM and sleep/wake “flip-flop” switches that either initiate awakening or the return to NREM sleep, as appropriate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"85 ","pages":"Article 102230"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sleep Medicine ReviewsPub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102243
Gabriel Natan Pires , Viviane Akemi Kakazu , Ingrid Porto Araújo Leite , Sergio Tufik
{"title":"Sponsorship bias and control group composition in trials evaluating digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia – A comment on Grolig et al.","authors":"Gabriel Natan Pires , Viviane Akemi Kakazu , Ingrid Porto Araújo Leite , Sergio Tufik","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2026.102243","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"85 ","pages":"Article 102243"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sleep Medicine ReviewsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-29DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102183
Ye Zhang , Zidi Ning , Jiajun Yuan , Shenghui Li
{"title":"Toward deeper understanding of maternal sleep during pregnancy and childhood health","authors":"Ye Zhang , Zidi Ning , Jiajun Yuan , Shenghui Li","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102183","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102183","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 102183"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sleep Medicine ReviewsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-30DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102158
Simone Bruno , Giovanni Cenerini , Letizia Lo Giudice , Francy Cruz-Sanabria , Davide Benedetti , Alessio Crippa , Simona Fiori , Raffaele Ferri , Gabriele Masi , Ugo Faraguna
{"title":"Optimizing timing and dose of exogenous melatonin administration in neuropsychiatric pediatric populations: a meta-analysis on sleep outcomes","authors":"Simone Bruno , Giovanni Cenerini , Letizia Lo Giudice , Francy Cruz-Sanabria , Davide Benedetti , Alessio Crippa , Simona Fiori , Raffaele Ferri , Gabriele Masi , Ugo Faraguna","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Melatonin is known to be effective in improving sleep in pediatric patients affected by neurological and psychiatric conditions. However, no guidelines exist advising the most effective treatment schedule. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the dose, time of administration and treatment duration associated with the maximal treatment efficacy. The systematic search, conducted across multiple databases following PRISMA guidelines and including studies published up to April 30, 2024, yielded 21 studies. Mean differences in sleep-related variables between the treatment and the placebo group were considered as study outcomes. Dose-response curves and meta-regression models were fitted to test the effect of treatment-related parameters. Melatonin significantly reduced Sleep onset latency and increased Sleep efficiency and Total sleep time. Sleep onset latency reduction was associated with an advancement in the time between administration with respect to bedtime, while increased Sleep efficiency and Total sleep time with longer treatment durations. Melatonin reached the maximal efficacy between 2 and 4 mg/day. Our results suggest a dose and time of administration that may enhance melatonin's sleep promoting effects (2–4 mg, 3 h before bedtime) and, if replicated by large clinical trials, could guide clinical practice in managing sleep disturbances in children experiencing neuropsychiatric conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 102158"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144997787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interpreting the mandibular jaw movement signal in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis: A technical and practical review","authors":"Jean-Benoit Martinot , Nhat-Nam Le-Dong , Julie Cassibba , Didier Clause , Jean-Louis Pépin , David Gozal","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102159","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102159","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common yet often underdiagnosed condition, partly due to limited access to polysomnography. Mandibular jaw movement (MJM) analysis offers a promising alternative to conventional home sleep apnea testing in children, capturing the dynamic interactions between respiratory drive and upper airway musculature, enabling accurate identification of, and critical insights into, sleep-disordered breathing events.</div><div>This technical and practical review provides a structured framework for understanding and interpreting MJM signals during sleep in pediatric patients. It begins with the physiological basis and technical aspects of using a single-point contact device with integrated inertial sensors. It offers step-by-step instructions for interpreting MJM signals, from distinguishing sleep stages to identifying obstructive and central apneas, hypopneas, and respiratory effort-related arousals. The review is accompanied by an atlas of 30 annotated examples that illustrate key MJM signal patterns across scoring tasks.</div><div>Key findings from several clinical studies on the utility of MJM analysis in pediatric OSA are also summarized.</div><div>As the demand for accessible and accurate home-based diagnostic tools grows, MJM analysis stands out as an effective option for both the diagnosis and monitoring of pediatric OSA, with the potential to transform routine clinical practice and improve patient access to care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 102159"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144997788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sleep Medicine ReviewsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102181
Guiying Kuang , Qinwei Yu , Danfang Yu , Long Liu , Xinyu Hu , Hanshu Liu , Xinyi Wang , Jingwen Li , Jinsha Huang , Tao Wang , Allison J. Cash , Zhicheng Lin , Nian Xiong
{"title":"Botulinum toxin therapy for neurological disorders: Serendipitous benefits on sleep quality and underlying mechanisms","authors":"Guiying Kuang , Qinwei Yu , Danfang Yu , Long Liu , Xinyu Hu , Hanshu Liu , Xinyi Wang , Jingwen Li , Jinsha Huang , Tao Wang , Allison J. Cash , Zhicheng Lin , Nian Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102181","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102181","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Botulinum toxin (BoNT) remains the gold standard treatment for focal and segmental dystonia and is widely used in managing hyperkinetic disorders, chronic pain, and glandular hypersecretion. Extensive clinical trials demonstrate that BoNT effectively ameliorates both the core symptoms of these neurological conditions and their frequently associated comorbidities, including depression, anxiety, and diminished quality of life. Notably, many BoNT-treated neurological disorders co-occur with sleep disturbances, yet sleep outcomes remain underexplored. This review synthesizes current evidence on sleep outcomes following BoNT treatment of both established neurological indications (e.g., neuropathic pain, chronic migraine, dystonia, spasticity, sialorrhea, hemifacial spasm, bladder dysfunction) and primary sleep disorders (e.g., restless legs syndrome, sleep bruxism, insomnia). As a result, BoNT treatment improves sleep outcomes across both categories, potentially through mechanisms involving modulation of vasomotor tone, hormonal secretion, neural activity, mood, and pain perception. However, larger, rigorously designed randomized controlled trials are essential to definitively confirm these therapeutic effects and elucidate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 102181"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145267605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sleep Medicine ReviewsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102202
Ludovica Pasca , Helene Vitali , Sara Uccella , Carlo Alberto Quaranta , Lia Macina , Lynn K. Paul , Valentina De Giorgis , Valentina Franco , Renato Borgatti , Romina Romaniello
{"title":"Corpus callosum agenesis: does sleep matter?","authors":"Ludovica Pasca , Helene Vitali , Sara Uccella , Carlo Alberto Quaranta , Lia Macina , Lynn K. Paul , Valentina De Giorgis , Valentina Franco , Renato Borgatti , Romina Romaniello","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102202","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102202","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a brain malformation that can lead to intellectual, behavioural, social and emotional impairments, with outcomes varying based on severity. Sleep disturbances are common in children with this disorder, and some studies have evidenced the role of corpus callosum in interhemispheric synchronisation that may influence sleep patterns. This narrative review attempted to intercept available information on sleep in patients with isolated Agenesis of the corpus callosum, partial and complete, across different ages. Since literature about this issue is underdeveloped, knowledge on callostomized individuals has been included. Corpus callosum disruption is linked to sleep disturbances, especially in early life, though the corpus callosum specific contribution remains unclear. Studies on callostomized individuals suggest that the corpus callosum plays a role in slow-wave transmission across hemispheres, which may affect sleep architecture and plasticity. The impaired transfer of brain activity between the hemispheres also seems to influence their dream experiences. The discussion pointed out that sleep problems in patients with Agenesis of the corpus callosum should be systematically assessed, as they may impact neurodevelopment and overall well-being, highlighting the need for further research and sleep interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 102202"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145528009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sleep Medicine ReviewsPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102178
Jonathan Tam , Diego Garcia Borreguero , Lourdes M. DelRosso
{"title":"Exploring the obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome comorbidity (Co-ROSA): A systematic review","authors":"Jonathan Tam , Diego Garcia Borreguero , Lourdes M. DelRosso","doi":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smrv.2025.102178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To systematically evaluate the prevalence, clinical profiles, and treatment outcomes in patients with comorbid RLS and OSA and to assess the impact of OSA therapy on RLS symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a systematic review of observational studies indexed in MedLine, PubMed, and EMBASE through August 2025. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. The Inclusion criteria were studies reporting original data on adult patients with comorbid RLS and OSA, including clinical features and treatment outcomes. Study quality was assessed using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ten studies were included, comprising over 3000 participants. The prevalence of RLS among patients with OSA ranged from 10 % to 30 %. Comorbidity was associated with increased rates of insomnia, fatigue, depression, and reduced response to OSA therapy. In multiple studies, CPAP treatment led to improvement in RLS symptoms, including reduced medication use in over 70 % of patients in some cohorts. However, therapeutic response was variable, with some patients exhibiting persistent or CPAP-emergent periodic limb movements. The quality of the studies included was mainly fair, with two rated as good.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Comorbid RLS and OSA represent a clinically distinct phenotype characterized by a greater symptom burden and more complex treatment trajectories. CPAP may offer therapeutic benefit for RLS in many patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49513,"journal":{"name":"Sleep Medicine Reviews","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 102178"},"PeriodicalIF":9.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145253597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}