After 7 days of recovery, participants did not fully recover on measures of attention, memory, and brain activity. Only reaction speed returned to baseline levels, highlighting the complexity of recovery from chronic sleep loss.
A Northwestern University study found that people become less sensitive to food odors after eating a meal, making it harder to choose healthier options. The research suggests an evolutionary benefit to this feedback loop, potentially improving nutrient intake and reducing disordered eating.
Researchers found increased capillary blood flow in mice brains during REM sleep, indicating a possible role of adenosine A2a receptors in brain refreshing. This unique state may be crucial for waste removal from the brain, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease development.
A study from Michigan State University's Sleep and Learning Lab found that short naps of 30 or 60 minutes did not show measurable effects on relieving the effects of sleep deprivation. However, participants who obtained more slow-wave sleep during the nap showed reduced impairments associated with sleep deprivation.
A new clinical trial will test a simple breathing exercise for adults with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. The study aims to reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health through inspiratory muscle training.
A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that just three nights of sleep loss can cause significant deterioration in mental and physical health. After a day or two, symptoms peak, and the body becomes relatively adapted to repeated sleep loss, but this changes on the sixth night when physical symptoms reach their wo...
A recent study published in SLEEP found that teenagers who slept only five hours per night experienced significant depression, anger, and confusion. In contrast, those who slept ten hours reported increased happiness. The study highlights the importance of sufficient sleep for adolescents to mitigate mood deficits.
A new Iowa State University study found sleep disruption limits the amount of information provided during an interview, with participants who were sleep-restricted providing 7% less information about past crimes. Lack of sleep also impaired motivation and made it harder to remember details.
Researchers found that sleepwalkers show an elevated rest-and-digest response and a lower fight-or-flight response during deep sleep. This discovery paves the way for new understanding of the phenomenon and potential treatments for sleepwalking.
A new study published in SLEEP found that later school start times significantly benefit middle and high school students' sleep schedules. Researchers discovered that the greatest improvements occurred for high school students, who obtained an extra 3.8 hours of sleep per week after a later start time was implemented.
A new study examining sleep deprivation and frailty reveals that short sleep intensifies the impacts of frailty on depressive symptoms. Frail older adults who experienced worsening frailty and short sleep were more likely to develop higher levels of depression.
A new study suggests that moderate coffee intake can help mitigate some repercussions of reduced sleep over a few days. The study found that caffeinated coffee drinkers showed better vigilance, alertness, and reaction-time compared to decaffeinated coffee drinkers during the initial three-to-four days of restricted sleep.
SourceKaizo·JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry·DateJan 21, 2021
The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has published a special 15th anniversary collection featuring influential studies on sleep disorders and other topics. The selected papers have had a significant impact on the field, with landmark reviews like "Behavioral and physiological consequences of sleep restriction" still widely cited today.
A new therapeutic method protects neurons and minimizes cognitive dysfunction by delivering targeted drugs to the brain after minor head injuries in individuals with extensive previous sleep deprivation. The treatment involves titanium dioxide capsules with cerebrolysin, promoting the production of essential hormones and proteins to co...
A new study shows that getting only half a night's sleep hijacks the brain's activity during learning and memory consolidation, leading to increased vulnerability to conditions like anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. The research found that even partial sleep deprivation can be worse than no sleep at all.
Mice sleep-deprived for research show increased preference for lower doses of cocaine, while rested mice do not. Blocking the orexin system reduces the increased cocaine preference driven by sleep deprivation.
A new study reveals that sleep deprivation significantly impairs the ability to suppress unwanted and unpleasant thoughts. Participants who were sleep-deprived showed a nearly 50% increase in unwanted thoughts compared to those who had a good night's sleep.
A recent study by Edith Cowan University found that 94% of Australian dementia caregivers are sleep-deprived, which can lead to negative physical and psychological outcomes. Chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, were common among participants.
Researchers found that star-shaped brain cells, astrocytes, change dynamically across sleep-wake cycles and play a role in regulating sleep need. Astrocyte calcium activity increased during rest phases when sleep need is greatest, suggesting an essential role in sleep regulation.
A recent experimental study found that even mild sleep restriction impairs information disclosure during criminal interviews, contradicting widespread assumptions. Sleep-restricted participants provided around 7% less information and reported lower motivation to recall details.
A new study found a link between sleep and entrepreneurship, suggesting that temporary ADHD-like tendencies generated by lack of sleep can be a benefit in spurring ventures. Practicing entrepreneurs also showed a consistent influence of impermanent sleep problems on entrepreneurial intentions.
A study found that sleeping less than normal impairs positive feelings, reducing joy, enthusiasm, and attention. Participants experienced a flattening of emotions when they slept less, scoring worse on accuracy tests. This impact persists for multiple days after sleep deprivation, affecting mental health.
Researchers analyzed data from solo skippers in the Mini Transat La Boulangère regatta to identify effective sleep management strategies. Over half of the skippers employed sleep extension, polyphasic sleep, or gradual sleep deprivation to optimize their performance and safety during the competition.
Researchers found that death is preceded by accumulation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) in the gut, which can be neutralized to prevent premature death. The study on fruit flies suggests a key role for the gut in causing death from sleep deprivation, and may inform future efforts to address its detrimental effects in humans.
Physician burnout is a significant public safety issue, exacerbated by sleep loss due to shift-work schedules, high workload, and stress. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advocates for improved sleep habits and support among physicians to prevent burnout and promote well-being.
Dr. Christopher M. Barnes has been recognized by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) as a Fellow, acknowledged for his pioneering research on sleep deprivation and work. His notable contributions have been cited over 3,000 times, solidifying his impact on the field.
A preliminary study found that losing a night of sleep increases tau levels in blood by an average 17-percent compared to a good night of sleep. Higher levels of tau may reflect clearance of proteins from the brain or elevated levels in the brain.
A study by Uppsala University found that sleeping deprivation for just one night increased tau protein levels in the blood of young, healthy men. This accumulation can start decades before Alzheimer's symptoms appear.
A new study found that nurses get nearly an hour and a half less sleep before work days compared to days off, negatively impacting patient care and safety. The researchers suggest that healthcare leaders can implement evidence-based scheduling strategies to address this issue.
A new study published in Nature and Science of Sleep found that individuals with chronic sleep-onset insomnia who pulled an all-nighter performed up to twice as badly on a reaction time task as healthy normal sleepers. This impairment may be hidden during the normal day but exposed after pulling an all-nighter, increasing their risk of...
Researchers from SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine linked chronic sleep deprivation to increased cardiovascular disease risk markers and accelerated biological aging. Volunteers who slept less than five hours a night had shorter telomeres, which are thought to represent cellular age.
Prescriptions for benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are significantly higher in the most deprived GP practice populations, with a 45% increase compared to the least deprived. The association between prescribing rates and socioeconomic deprivation persisted even after accounting for demographic differences.
A new gene, NPSR1, has been discovered that promotes natural short sleep and prevents memory deficits associated with sleep deprivation. The researchers found that the mutant version of NPSR1 is easier to activate and better at switching on other proteins involved in wakefulness.
Two studies in mice reveal that sleep deprivation alters daily changes in synaptic functions and proteins, leading to impaired cognitive abilities. The research suggests that sleep pressure plays a crucial role in maintaining synaptic function, independent of the circadian clock.
A study by Northwestern University found that sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to choose high-energy dense foods due to an imbalance in brain regions receiving food signals. The researchers suggest that paying attention to our nose's influence on food choices may help alleviate unhealthy snacking habits.
A recent study by Hebrew University researchers found that bumble bee workers sleep less while caring for young, even when not their own offspring. This suggests a mechanism allowing them to reduce sleep without a cost to health or cognitive performance.
A new study reveals that bumble bee workers tending to pupae sleep significantly less than other bees, even when the offspring are not their own. This finding suggests that substances produced by the pupae may drive the reduction in sleep.
A study published in the Journal of Lipid Research found that just a few days of sleep deprivation can affect how the body metabolizes fat from food. The researchers gave participants a high-fat dinner while they were sleep-restricted, and found that their bodies cleared the fat faster than those who had plenty of sleep.
Researchers identified a second gene associated with natural short sleep, ADRB1, which promotes wakefulness and regulates sleep. The study suggests that short sleepers experience better sleep quality and sleep efficiency, despite potential health risks.
Caregivers of people with dementia experience significant sleep loss, estimated at 2.5-3.5 hours per week, affecting both their mental and physical health. Simple interventions such as morning sunlight, regular bedtime routines, and moderate exercise can improve caregivers' sleep quality.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that an eye-movement test can detect acute sleep loss with high reliability. The researchers used a range of eye-movement measures to distinguish sleep-related impairment from that caused by alcohol or brain injury.
Researchers discovered that sleep deprivation strengthens hippocampus synapses in mice, allowing new learning to occur after waking. Synapse strength increased after six hours of wakefulness compared to sleep, suggesting a recalibration process during rest.
A new study reveals that nearly one-third of hospital nurses suffer from chronic insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness, highlighting the need for better sleep screening and scheduling modifications to alleviate shift work disorder among nursing staff.
Limiting evening exposure to light-emitting screens can improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of fatigue and bad mood in teenagers. A one-week study found that adolescents who reduced screen time experienced earlier wake-up times and fewer symptoms of sleep loss.
A recent study from the UBC Sauder School of Business found that sleepier consumers tend to buy more diverse types of products to help them stay awake. The study reveals that even after controlling for other factors, sleep-deprived individuals exhibit a greater desire for variety in their shopping choices.
Studies show that longer shifts do not lead to chronic sleep loss in first-year doctors, nor reduce safety for patients. However, interns working flexible overnight shifts experience lower alertness and more subjective sleepiness due to acute sleep loss.
A new sleep index developed by Magdy Younes predicts the success of weaning critically ill patients from mechanical ventilation. Longer durations of full wakefulness are highly correlated with a successful separation, while poor correlation between brain hemispheres predicts failure.
A study published in Science Advances found that deeper sleep is crucial for the brain's waste removal system, known as the glymphatic system. The researchers observed that mice administered a combination of anesthetics exhibited slow and steady brain activity similar to deep non-REM sleep, which is optimal for glymphatic function.
In a study with thousands of fruit flies, researchers found that male flies denied sleep did not die earlier than those with regular sleep. Female flies died on average three days earlier, but the exact reason for this is unclear. The study suggests that sleep may not be essential for life in the same way food is.
Researchers have identified a protein, nemuri, that promotes sleep after sleep deprivation or infection in fruit flies. The protein also increases the ability of flies to survive bacterial infections. This dual action suggests a link between sleep and immune function.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have found a single gene, nemuri, that increases the need for sleep in fruit flies. The NEMURI protein fights germs with its antimicrobial activity and drives prolonged, deep sleep after an infection, promoting survival.
A new study found that sleep deprivation can cause DNA damage in healthy individuals, increasing the risk for cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Even a single night of sleep deprivation can trigger events contributing to chronic disease development.
A new study finds that sleep deprivation increases tau levels in the brain, a key protein associated with neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease. The researchers suggest optimizing the sleep-wake cycle as a potential treatment target to prevent Alzheimer's.
A study published in JNeurosci found that one night of sleep loss increases the desire for junk foods, as measured by brain activity and hormone levels. The researchers suggest that a lack of sleep can promote overeating and obesity risk through increased food desirability.
Astrocytes communicate with neurons to regulate sleep time in fruit flies, a finding that suggests a similar mechanism may exist in mammals. The study used fruit flies to identify mechanisms of sleep regulation and found that a protein called Eiger plays a critical role in regulating sleep.
The study found that participants who slept between 7 to 8 hours per night performed better cognitively than those who slept less or more. Despite age differences, sleep affected all adults equally, and too little or too much sleep had a similar impairment on cognitive function.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that sleep-deprived individuals experienced a significant increase in errors during tasks requiring following directions and remembering sequence steps. Memory maintenance was the primary culprit behind these difficulties.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have successfully identified biomarkers in blood that can detect sleep deprivation. A machine learning algorithm detected changes in gene expression levels with 92% accuracy, paving the way for a future test to assess driver fitness.
A new study by Oxford University Press USA found that people who have slept for fewer than seven hours are more likely to be involved in and responsible for car crashes. The risk is particularly high for drivers who have slept less than four hours, with a 15.1 times higher odds of being involved in a crash
A new study from Uppsala University found that one night of sleep loss can cause tissue-specific changes in gene expression and metabolism, leading to increased fat accumulation and muscle loss. This may explain why shift work and chronic sleep loss increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.