Time-dependent cortical responses to siesta disruption in male mice.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Siestas, or daytime naps, play a critical role in relieving sleep pressure and maintaining physiological balance. However, the effects of siesta disruption remain largely unexplored.

Methods

In this study, we disrupted the natural siesta period (ZT20-23) through daily bedding changes for 2 weeks and examined its effects on overall stress levels, sleep architecture, behavior, and transcriptional responses in the frontal cortex.

Results

Siesta disruption during the late dark phase led to increased core body temperature, locomotor activity, and wakefulness, while having minimal effects on subsequent light phase sleep patterns, behavioral performance, or serum stress markers. Transcriptomic analysis at ZT0 and ZT12 revealed distinct time dependent responses:

SUBMITTER: Ding J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12411512 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature