Resting-state theta/beta ratio changed without sleep: an EEG study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine how sleep deprivation (SD) may impact on emotion regulation (ER) during a resting state (as reflected in the slow wave/fast wave (sw/fw) ratio in EEG). Methods: 45 participants were recruited and assigned to the SD group (n = 22) or the control group (n = 23). Both groups maintained a normal sleep schedule on Day 1 night. On Day 2 night, the control group maintained a normal sleep schedule while the SD group were sleep deprived (sustained waking time > 24 hours). On Day 3 morning, both groups reported their sleepiness level and had an 8-min resting-state EEG recording. Theta/beta and delta/beta ratios at frontal, central and parietal areas were calculated. Results: The SD group reported significantly higher sleepiness levels than the control group. It was found that compared with the control group, the SD group had higher theta/beta ratios at the frontal, central, and parietal areas, suggesting lower cortical regulation of subcortical activities. Conclusions: The findings suggested that emotion regulation during the resting state was compromised by sleep deprivation.