Decreased inhibitory control after partial sleep deprivation in individuals reporting binge eating: preliminary findings.

Silvia Cerolini,Fabio Ferlazzo,Caterina Lombardo,Fabio Lucidi,Andrea Ballesio

doi:10.7717/peerj.9252

Abstract

BackgroundPoor executive functions are associated with dysregulated eating and greater caloric intake in healthy samples. In parallel, findings suggested that sleep deprivation impairs executive functions.MethodsWe investigated whether partial sleep deprivation impairs executive functions in individuals reporting binge eating (BE, N = 14) and healthy controls (C, N = 13). Switch cost and backward inhibition were measured using the Task Switching Paradigm after a habitual night of sleep and after a night of partial sleep deprivation.ResultsResults showed a Night by Group interaction on the backward inhibition. The two groups differed in the habitual night, evidencing higher inhibitory control in BE compared to C. Additionally, after partial sleep deprivation, compared to the habitual night, backward inhibition decreased in BE group. This preliminary study was the first to explore the impact of sleep deprivation on executive functions in participants reporting binge eating and healthy controls, thus highlighting their potential role in influencing eating behavior.

Highlights

Executive functions (EFs) include inhibitory capacities and switching attention processes (Diamond, 2013)
We aimed to fill in this gap by preliminarily evaluating whether partial sleep deprivation impairs EFs in individuals reporting binge eating and healthy controls
The groups were significantly different for binge eating symptomatology, disordered eating, depression, insomnia severity, and BMI

Summary

Introduction

Executive functions (EFs) include inhibitory capacities and switching attention processes (Diamond, 2013). Poor inhibitory control has been associated with greater consumption of snacks and high-fat foods (Hall, 2012) Despite this first evidence supporting the cross-sectional relation between EFs and dietary intake, the lack of longitudinal studies does not allow to make solid conclusions about directionality (Egbert et al, 2019). After partial sleep deprivation, compared to the habitual night, backward inhibition decreased in BE group. This preliminary study was the first to explore the impact of sleep deprivation on executive functions in participants reporting binge eating and healthy controls, highlighting their potential role in influencing eating behavior

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