Ashley Huggins

Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at high risk of age-related disorders, including cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, PTSD is associated with markers of accelerated aging. We recently showed that epigenetic age acceleration associated with cortical atrophy in the brain areas implicated in PTSD. Here, we evaluate the effect of PTSD on the relationship between peripheral epigenetic and brain age acceleration.

Key Points Question What determines sleep and rest on inpatient wards, and can these determinants inform the design of effective rest-promoting interventions? Findings This quality improvement study at a single hospital elicited novel insights regarding the landscape of rest in the hospital. These insights were used to create and implement a set of feasible and acceptable rest-promoting interventions that were associated with improved nighttime quietness and sleep opportunity.