From time to time, our conscious mind is invaded by unpleasant memories, often triggered by small occurrences in our surroundings. Typically, we can push these memories aside quickly, reducing the likelihood of future intrusions.
However, individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often spend more time trapped in cycles of intrusive thinking, reinforcing negative rumination. Given that people with mental health issues frequently experience sleep disturbances — and that sleep is known to play a crucial role in memory processing — this connection has sparked scientific interest.
Previous research established a link between sleep deprivation and intrusive memories, but the underlying neurological mechanisms remained unclear. Scientists from the Department of Psychology at the University of York, United Kingdom, aimed to uncover how sleep deprivation leads to intrusive thoughts. Their findings were recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
