Bergen Stress and Sleep Group
We all experience stress in our lives, whether it is brought on by our jobs, our personal lives or even just standing in traffic jam. Stress is inevitable and can impact our lives in many ways. In general, stress is good for us. But sometimes it can take a serious toll on our everyday functions — especially disturbing our sleep, circadian rhythms and our brains’ ability to adapt to the environment.

About the research group
The main research focus of Bergen Stress and Sleep Group is
- the role of stress in physiological and psychological recovery
- causes of disturbed sleep and circadian rhythm (especially shift work and light exposure)
- measurement of sleep quality and circadian rhythms
- effects of acute and chronic stressors in different stages in life- on wakefulness, sleep and circadian rhythms
- the relationship between stress, sleep and mental health (affective disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder),
Our approach is essentially translational, we use clinical and human data in forming our animal model research, and vice versa. This allows us to study biological and psychological consequences after shiftwork, in affective disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, in the human population and potential animal models thereof which allow identification of potential markers for risk. In these endeavors, we collaborate with partners at the local, national and international levels.
Projects
The early life condition - A translational study of affective and behavioral outcomes and genetic modulation
The primary objective of this project is to establish translational research on early life stress with affective, behavioral outcome as well as genetic modulation, with a strong gender perspective.
Consequences of night shift simulation on waking performance, sleep, circadian rhythmicity and brain function
The primary objective of this project is to establish translational research on the effects of simulated night shift work on waking performance, sleep, circadian rhythmicity, metabolic measures and molecular markers of brain function. The objective is also to investigate ways to counter these negative effects, particularly how light of different intensity and color quality impact on waking performance and brain function.
Here you can read more about the project
Validation of radar technology as a new tool for wireless sleep assessment
Publications
Articles
2024
Hjelmervik H, Hausmann M, Bless JJ, Harkestad N, Hugdahl K, Laloyaux J (2024). Estradiol driven change in hallucination proneness across the menstrual cycle as studied with a white noise paradigm. Psychoneuroendocrinology. Jan;159:106410.
2023
Bugge Kambestad O, Sirevåg K, Mrdalj J, Hovland A, Bruun Endal T, Andersson E, Sjøbø T, Haukenes Stavestrand S (2023). Physical Exercise and Serum BDNF Levels: Accounting for the Val66Met Polymorphism in Older Adults. Cogn Behav Neurol. Dec 1;36(4):219-227.
2022
Pedersen TT, Sunde E, Wisor J, Mrdalj J, Pallesen S, Grønli J (2022). Sleep Homeostasis and Night Work: A Polysomnographic Study of Daytime Sleep Following Three Consecutive Simulated Night Shifts. Nat Sci Sleep; 14:243-254
Sunde E, Mrdalj J, Pedersen TT, Bjorvatn B, Grønli J, Harris A, Waage S, Pallesen S (2022). Bright light exposure during simulated night work improves cognitive flexibility. Chronobiol Int; 39(7):948-963
Liset R, Grønli J, Henriksen RE, Henriksen TEG, Nilsen RM, Pallesen S (2022). A randomized controlled trial on the effects of blue-blocking glasses compared to partial blue-blockers on sleep outcomes in the third trimester of pregnancy. PLoS One; 17(1):e0262799.
Johansen VA, Milde AM, Nilsen RM, Breivik K, Nordanger D, Stormark KM, Weisæth L. (2022). The Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and PTSD Symptoms After Exposure to Physical Assault: An 8 Years Longitudinal Study. J Interpers Violence; 37:9-10
Vaisvilaite L, Hushagen V, Grønli J, Specht K (2022) Time-of-Day Effects in Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Changes in Effective Connectivity and Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent Signal. Brain Connect; 12(6):515-523.
Skeie-Larsen M, Stave R, Grønli J, Bjorvatn B, Wilhelmsen-Langeland A, Zandi A, Pallesen S (2022) The Effects of Pharmacological Treatment of Nightmares: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Dec 31;20(1):777
Vethe D, Drews HJ, Scott J, Engstrøm M, Heglum HSA, Grønli J, Wisor JP, Sand T, Lydersen S, Kjørstad K, Faaland PMP, Vestergaard CL, Langsrud K, Kallestad H (2022) Evening light environments can be designed to consolidate and increase the duration of REM-sleep. Sci Rep, May 24;12(1):8719
Pandi-Perumal SR, Kumar VM, Pandian NG, de Jong JT, Andiappan S, Corlateanu A, Mahalaksmi AM, Chidambaram SB, Kumar RR, Ramasubramanian C, Sivasubramaniam S, Bjørkum AA, Cutajar J, Berk M, Trakht I, Vrdoljak A, Meira E Cruz M, Eyre HA, Grønli J, Cardinali DP, Maercker A, van de Put WACM, Guzder J, Bjorvatn B, Tol WA, Acuña-Castroviejo D, Meudec M, Morin CM, Partinen M, Barbui C, Jordans MJD, Braakman MH, Knaevelsrud C, Pallesen S, Sijbrandij M, Golombek DA, Espie CA, Cuijpers P, Agudelo HAM, van der Velden K, van der Kolk BA, Hobfoll SE, Devillé WLJM, Gradisar M, Riemann D, Axelsson J, Benítez-King G, Macy RD, Poberezhets V, Hoole SRH, Murthy RS, Hegemann T, Heinz A, Salvage J, McFarlane AC, Keukens R, de Silva H, Oestereich C, Wilhelm J, von Cranach M, Hoffmann K, Klosinski M, Bhugra D, Seeman MV (2022). Scientists Against War: A Plea to World Leaders for Better Governance. Sleep Vigil; 6(1):1-6
2021
Milde AM, Gramm HB, Paaske I, Kleiven PG, Christiansen O, Havnen KJS (2021). Suicidality among children and youth in Nordic child welfare services: A systematic review. Child Fam Soc Work
Liset R, Grønli J, Henriksen RE, Henriksen TEG, Nilsen RM, Pallesen S (2021) Sleep, evening light exposure and perceived stress in healthy nulliparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy. PLoS One;16(6):e0252285.
Liset R, Grønli J, Henriksen RE, Henriksen TEG, Nilsen RM, Pallesen S (2021). A randomized controlled trial on the effect of blue-blocking glasses compared to partial blue-blockers on melatonin profile among nulliparous women in third trimester of the pregnancy. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms;12:100074
Bless JJ, Hugdahl K, Kråkvik B, Vedul-Kjelsås E, Kalhovde AM, Grønli J, Larøy F (2021) In the twilight zone: An epidemiological study of sleep-related hallucinations. Compr Psychiatry;108:152247.
Wisor JP, Holmedahl NH, Saxvig IW, Fjeldstad OM, Weitzberg E, Grønli J, Engan HK (2021) Effect of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Sleep in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients. Nat Sci Sleep;13:435-46.
2020
Marti AR, Pedersen T, Wisor JP, Mrdalj J, Holmelid Ø, Patil S, Meerlo P, Bramham CR, Grønli J. (2020). Cognitive function and brain plasticity in a rat model of shift work: role of daily rhythms, sleep and glucocorticoids. Sci Rep, 10(1), 13141.
Sunde E, Mrdalj J, Pedersen T, Thun E, Bjorvatn B, Grønli J, Harris A, Waage S, Pallesen S. (2020). Role of nocturnal light intensity on adaptation to three consecutive night shifts: a counterbalanced crossover study. Occup Environ Med, 77(4), 249-255.
Sunde E, Pedersen T, Mrdalj J, Thun E, Grønli J, Harris A, Bjorvatn, B, Waage S, Skene DJ, Pallesen S. (2020a). Alerting and Circadian Effects of Short-Wavelength vs. Long-Wavelength Narrow-Bandwidth Light during a Simulated Night Shift. Clocks Sleep, 2(4): 502-522.
Sunde E, Pedersen T, Mrdalj J, Thun E, Grønli J, Harris A, Bjorvatn, B, Waage S, Skene DJ, Pallesen S. (2020). Blue-Enriched White Light Improves Performance but Not Subjective Alertness and Circadian Adaptation During Three Consecutive Simulated Night Shifts. Front Psychol, 11, 2172.
Albaek AU, Binder PE, Milde AM (2020). Plunging Into a Dark Sea of Emotions: Professionals' Emotional Experiences Addressing Child Abuse in Interviews With Children. Qual Health Res 30(8): 1212-1224.
Ousdal OT, Milde AM, Hafstad GS, Hodneland E, Dyb G, Craven AR, Melinder A, Endestad T, Hugdahl K. (2020). The association of PTSD symptom severity with amygdala nuclei volumes in traumatized youths. Transl Psychiatry 10(1): 288.
Steine IM, Nielsen B, Porter PA, Krystal JH, Winje D, Grønli J, Milde AM, Bjorvatn B, Nordhus IH, Pallesen S. (2020). Predictors and correlates of lifetime and persistent non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts among adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Eur J Psychotraumatol, 11(1):1815282.
Steine IM, Winje D, Krystal JH, Milde AM, Bjorvatn B, Nordhus IH, Grønli J, Pallesen S. (2020). Longitudinal Relationships between Perceived Social Support and Symptom Outcomes: Findings from a sample of Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Child Abuse Negl, 107, 104566.
Toften S, Pallesen S, Hrozanova M, Moen F, Grønli, J. (2020). Validation of sleep stage classification using non-contact radar technology and machine learning (Somnofy®). Sleep Med, 75, 54-61.
Hansen AL, Ambroziak G, Thornton D, Mundt JC, Kahn RE, Dahl L, Waage L, Kattenbraker D, Araujo P, Murison R, Rypdal K, Grung B. (2020) Vitamin D Supplementation during Winter: Effects on Stress Resilience in a Randomized Control Trial, Nutrients 12(11):3258.
Henriksen TEG, Grønli J, Assmus J, Fasmer OB, Schøyen H, Leskauskaite I, Bjørke-Bertheussen J, Ytrehus K, Lund A. (2020) Blue-blocking glasses as additive treatment for mania: effects on actigraphy-derived sleep parameters, J Sleep Res, 29(5), e12984.
Books
Janne Grønli (2020). Søvkoden helt opplagt. Editor: Malene Vilnes. Frisk forlag. ISBN: 9788293428510
Lehnert H, Murison R, Weiner H, Hellhammer D, Beyer J. (1993). Endocrine and Nutritional Control of Basic Biological Functions. Hogrefe & Huber. ISBN: 978-0889370760
Book Sections
Milde AM, Mrdalj J (2021) Animal Models for Psychological Disorders. In: Handbook of Laboratory Animal Science (4th Edition). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429439964
Grønli J. (2018). Søvn. In: Operativ psykologi (3rd Edition): Fagbokforlaget. ISBN: 9788245025217
Murison R. (2016). The Neurobiology of Stress. In: The Neuroscience of Pain, Stress, and Emotion (pp. 29 - 49): Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-12-800538-5
Melinder A, Milde AM. (2016). Samarbeid, samtykkeerklæring og deling av data. Chapter 5. In: De berørte etter 22. juli. Forskningsetiske perspektiver. (pp. 73-84): Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISBN: 9788202522056.
Jellestad FK (2011). Hjernen og rusavhengighet. Chapter 4. In: Håndbok i Rusbehandling. (pp. 66-77): Gyldendal Akademisk. ISBN: 978-82-05-39886-3.
Murison R, Milde AM. (2011). Animal Models for Psychological Disorders. Chapter 3. In: Handbook of Laboratory Animal Science (3rd Edition). (pp. 29-45): CRC Press. ISBN: 9781-4200-8457-3.
Portas CM, Grønli J. (2008). Involvement of the 5-HT1A and the 5-HT1B receptor in the regulation of sleep and waking. In: Serotonin and Sleep: Molecular, Functional and Clinical Aspects. (pp. 325-369): Birkhäuser Verlag. ISBN: 978-3-7643-8560-6.
Murison R, Milde AM. (2007). Ulceration, Gastric. Chapter 3. In: Encylopedia of Stress (2nd Edition). (pp. 787-791): Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-12-088503-9.
Murison R, Milde AM. (2007) Gastrointestinal Effects. Chapter 2. In: Encylopedia of Stress (2nd Edition). (pp. 109-114): Elsevier ISBN: 978-0-12-088503-9.
Overmier JB, Murison R. (2004). Gastric ulcers and stress. Gastric ulcers and stress, In: Encyclopedia of Health & Behavior.( pp. 349-355): Sage Publications. ISBN: 0-7619-2360-8.
Overmier JB, Murison R. (2004). Animal models. . In: The Concise Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science. (pp. 58-59): John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 0-471-22036-1.
Overmier JB, Murison R, Milde AM. (2004). External Events Are Internalized in the Brain-Gut Axis. In: Proceedings of the 111th International Conference on Ulcer Research. (pp. 447-454): Bologne: Medimond. ISBN: 88-758-7021-7.
Murison R. (2003). Animal models for psychological disorders. In: Handbook of Laboratory Animal Science Volume II: Animal Models. (pp. 111-123): CRC Press. ISBN: 0-8493-1084-9.
Overmier JB, Murison R. (2001). Animal Models. In: The Corsini Encylopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science. (pp. 105-108). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 0471239496.
Jellestad FK. (2000). IKT og læring blant voksne. In: Læring hos voksne. (pp. 146-158): Sigma. ISBN: 82-7916-007-8.
Murison R. (2000). Gastrointestinal effects. In: Encyclopedia of Stress. (pp. 191-196): Academic press. ISBN: 0-12-226738-9.
Murison R. (2000). Ulceration. In: Encyclopedia of Stress. (pp. 631-634): Academic press. ISBN: 0-12-226738-9.
Bakke HK, Murison R. (1995). Cortictropin releasing factor and gastric erosions. In: Neuroendocrinology of Gastrointestinal Ulceration: Hans Selye Symposia on Neuroendocrinology and Stress. Volume 2. Plenum Press. ISBN: 978-0899304922
Jellestad FK, Follesø GS, Ursin H. (1995). The Neurobiological Foundation of Exploration. In: Curiosity and Exploration. (pp. 43-64): Springer Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-3-540-54867-6
Jellestad FK (1994). Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure on Information Transmission in The Hippocampal Formation of Rats. Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Exposure. In: Long term health effects of diving. (pp. 149-155): Best Pub Co. ISBN: 82-7280-351-8.
Jellestad FK. (1994). Heterosynaptic Facilitation. In: Encyclopedia of Psychology. (pp. 122-124): John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 0471558192.
Deizner R, Murison R, Hellhammer D, Lehnert H. (1993). Can tyrosine prevent poststress disturbances? In:Endocrine and Nutritional Control of Basic Biological Functions. (pp. 421-426): Hogrefe & Huber. ISBN: 978-0889370760
Jellestad FK, Murison RCC (1987). Stereotactic, electrical and chemical lesions. In: Advanced Methods in Psychobiology. (pp. 73-83): C.J. Hogrefe, Inc. ISBN: 9780889370111
Ursin H, Jellestad FK, Garcia CI. (1981). The amygdala, exploration and fear. In: The Amygdaloid complex. (pp. 317–325): Elsevier. ISBN: 0-444-80397-1.
Doctoral dissertations
- Randi Liset. Light exposure and stress in pregnancy: Effects of blue-blocking glasses on sleep, mood and melatonin.
Link for Thesis.
- Andrea Rørvik Marti. Shift work, circadian rhythms, and the brain. Identifying biological mechanisms underlying the metabolic and cognitive consequences of work timing, using a rat model.
Link for Thesis.
- Erlend Sunde. Effects of light interventions for adaptation to night work. Simulated night work experiments.
Link for Thesis.
- Ane Ugland Albæk.Walking children through a minefield. Qualitative studies of professionals’ experiences addressing abuse in child interviews.
Link for Thesis.
- Iris Mulders Steine. Predictors of symptoms outcomes among adult survivors of sexual abuse: The role of abuse characteristics, cumulative childhood maltreatment, genetic variants, and perceived social support.
- Tone Fidje Blågestad. Less pain – better sleep and mood? Interrelatedness of pain, sleep and mood in total hip arthroplasty patients.
- Jelena Mrdalj. The early life condition. Importance for sleep, circadian rhythmicity, behaviour and response to later life challenges.
Link for Thesis.
- Anne Marie Kinn Rød. Consequences of social defeat stress for behaviour and sleep. Short-term and long-term assessments in rats.
Link for Thesis.
- Elisabeth Flo. Sleep and health in shift working nurses.
Link for Thesis.
- Janne Grønli. Chronic mild stress an anmial model of depression. From behavior to molecules.
Link for Thesis.
- Anne Marita Milde. Ulcerative colitis and the role of stress. Animal studies of psychobiological factors in relationship to experimentally induced colitis.
- Tone Sandbak. Alcohol consumption and preference in the rat: The significance of individual differences and relationships to stress pathology.
Master's theses
- Lars Erik Schiro. An evaluation of TimeSTAMP2 knockin mice -For novel drug-dependent epitope-tagging of newly synthesized Arc during long-term potentiation in the dentate gyrus of adult anesthetized mice
- Torhild Pedersen. Night work and disturbances in sleep- an animal model
- Andrea Rørvik Marti. Circadian and metabolic consequences of shift work -a rat model
- Louise Haugen Bjerrum. Sleep-wake dynamics and EEG in a rat model of Prolonged Photoperiod
- Josien Janssen. Effects of simulated night shift work on circadian rhythmicity of body temperature
- Vetle Hushagen. The Effect of Circadian Rhythms on BOLD Dynamics and Effective Connectivity
- Øystein Holmelid. Simulated Night Work, Sleep-Wake Changes and Markers of Brain Plasticity
- Maiken Birkelid. Modeling night shift work and gastrointestinal function
- Julija Stila. Tidlig livsstress og kognitiv atferd i voksen alder – kan kvalitet på søvn og våkenhet være en prediktor?
- Anna Elfrida Hovde Vollsund. The relationship between shift work, sleep disturbances and oxidative stress in the brain
- Oda Bugge Kambestad. Serum BDNF Levels in Response to Acute Exercise in Adults between 60-75 Years
- Amalie Aasvang. Effects of early life stress and chronic mild stress exposure in adulthood on sleep and wakefulness in rats
- Robin Bjorheim. Daytime sleep after simulated night shift work, a polysomnographic study of the impact of working in blue-enriched and red-enriched narrow-bandwidth light
- Torbjørn Gisleberg. Homeostatic regulation of wakefulness -A model and hypothesis driven approach
- Sanne Myrmel. Effekten av tidlig livsstress på synaptisk plastisitet
- Celine Yttervik. Effekten av tidlig livsstress på synaptisk plastisitet
People
Group manager
Janne Grønli Professor
Group members
Jelena Mrdalj Associate Professor
Torhild Thue Pedersen PhD candidate
Anne Marie Kinn Rød Senior Engineer
Former members
Robert Murison Professor emeritus
Anne Marita Milde Researcher
Finn Konow Jellestad Associate professor