Left nucleus accumbens volume is associated with poor sleep in hip osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective Reduction in the volume of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) has emerged as a promising signature of chronic pain transition, including in osteoarthritis (OA). Yet, less is known about the factors that could influence these changes in the mesolimbic system. Given that poor sleep is common in OA, and recent studies of sleep disturbance on pain perception in animals and healthy populations have specifically implicated the NAc, we hypothesised that the left NAc volume in hip OA would be associated with sleep quality and quantity. Furthermore, we explored how sex interacts with this relationship. Methods Cross-sectional study in participants with hip OA (n = 34; aged 60+/-12 years, 67 % fema..