Research from Florida International University (FIU) has uncovered structural differences in the brains of individuals with sleep disorders, revealing alterations in areas crucial for attention, motivation, and decision-making. This study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, emphasizes the need for tailored diagnosis and treatment strategies for various sleep conditions.
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Approximately 50 to 70 million Americans experience sleep disorders. To identify common neurological patterns among these disorders, researchers at FIU’s Center for Children and Families conducted a meta-analysis of 57 brain imaging studies, focusing on two main categories: dyssomnias, which affect sleep continuity, and parasomnias, which involve unusual sleep behaviors.
Matthew Sutherland, a cognitive neuroscientist and senior author of the study, highlighted the importance of understanding how sleep disorders affect brain structure and function amidst growing public awareness of sleep’s significance. The study found that both dyssomnias and parasomnias were associated with reductions in the thalamus, a brain region responsible for filtering information and supporting cognitive processes. Specific changes in the pulvinar, an area within the thalamus that directs attention, were noted, which could explain the slower reaction times and poorer decision-making often associated with disrupted sleep.
Lead author Katharine Crooks emphasized that most research tends to focus on individual sleep disorders. By analyzing a broader range of studies, this research clarifies how these disorders collectively impact cognitive functions like focus and decision-making, which is critical for developing effective interventions.
In contrast, distinctive structural changes were observed in the posterior cingulate cortex among individuals with parasomnias, potentially correlating with issues in emotional regulation and mood stability. No standardized structural changes were identified for dyssomnias, suggesting that the brain alterations may depend on how each specific sleep condition disrupts sleep.
The researchers aim to further explore the relationship between these brain changes and the sleep disorders, investigating whether the alterations contribute to the disorders, arise as a consequence, or reflect a combination of both. Future studies will concentrate on individual parasomnias, such as sleepwalking and REM sleep behavior disorder.
The research is documented in the study titled "Sleep disorders and structural alterations in brain regions linked with motivation: a neuroimaging meta-analysis," authored by Katharine E. Crooks and colleagues, published on February 26, 2026.