0151 Modulating Emotion Regulation and the Late Positive Potential ERP Component through Sleep Extension

Abstract Introduction Sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality reduces functional connectivity between prefrontal cortical networks and the amygdala, thus causing emotional dysregulation. In contrast, sleep extension in the form of napping has been shown to impact emotional memory consolidation and emotional reactivity. To date, however, the role of napping in adult emotion regulation has yet to be determined. We hypothesize that sleep extension in the form of a nap will improve emotion regulation abilities in healthy adults. Methods In this within-subjects design, participants completed an emotion regulation task following either a nap or an equivalent bout of wake time (separated by ~1 week, order counterbalanced). In the task, participants were shown negative and neutral IAPS pictures, and were instructed to suppress, maintain, or enhance their emotional experience. During the task, the late positive potential was assessed at Pz, a component that may reflect downstream neurobiological effects of amygdala activation. Results Participants were able to use the cognitive reappraisal strategy to alter their emotional valence (F(2,14)= 17.781, p< 0.001, η2=0.718) and arousal (F(2,14),=36.995, p< 0.001, η2=0.841) according to the instructions. While not significant due to small sample size, participants showed greater mean amplitude in the late LPP component (1,900-3,000ms) for negative images compared to neutral images (F(1,5)=3.165, p=0.135, η2=0.367), and in the wake condition compared to the nap condition (F(1,5)=2.894, p=0.150, η2=0.388). Following instructions, there was a non-significant interaction between condition and the maintain and suppress instructions (F(1,5)=2.357, p=0.185, η2=0.320); compared to the nap condition, in the wake condition participants averaged greater mean amplitude of the LPP (300-5,000ms) in the suppress condition. Conclusion Data from this study followed predicted directions that sleep extension in the form of a nap may help to improve emotion regulation by increasing top-down control of amygdalar activation. Support (if any) This work was supported by the Merrimack College Zampell Family Faculty Fellowship, and the Merrimack College START Program.