Examining the Role of Sleep in Appetitive Conditioning Disorders: Mechanisms and Interventions

Sleep disturbances are common in psychological disorders characterised by disrupted reward processing (e.g., substance use, gambling). Literature suggests sleep loss may play a role in disrupting the ability to inhibit reward-related associations, however, the specific mechanisms by which sleep influences these processes remain poorly understood. This thesis addresses this gap, demonstrating key roles for both sleep and sleep loss in modulating reward-related behaviour. Individuals who routinely experience sleep disruptions may be at risk of developing maladaptive appetitive behaviours. Additionally, enhanced REM sleep will likely support extinction-based therapies (e.g., cue exposure therapy), promote balanced reward processing, and influence reward learning strategies.