Tag Archives: sleep

The importance of sleep quality and the challenges of measuring it

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How did you sleep last night? Your response may depend on how long you were in bed, how much of that time you spent tossing and turning, or whether you felt rested. However, it may also depend on whether you exercised today, the messages on your wearable device, or even when you were asked.

This article is part of a special series exploring important questions about sleep. Click here for details.

“Everyone has a different definition of sleep quality, and that’s the problem,” sleep researchers say. nicole tan At the University of Warwick, UK.

While sleep quality and what defines it is still a mystery that scientists are still trying to figure out, a good night’s rest involves a series of sleep cycles, or distinct sequences of stages of brain activity that you experience during sleep. We know that (see the image below). And for most of us, each stage of these cycles is necessary to wake up feeling refreshed. The average person experiences four to five complete menstrual cycles per night, and any disruption to this can have negative effects on your health in both the short and long term.

“Poor sleep quality is associated with many negative physical health effects,” he says. Jean-Philippe Chapou At the University of Ottawa, Canada. As with what you’d expect from not getting enough sleep (see Why your chronotype is key to knowing how much sleep you need), these include an increased risk of: cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and weight gain.

Although there is no clear consensus on what defines sleep quality, researchers and doctors often analyze sleep using electroencephalograms (EEGs), which track brain activity during sleep.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Improving Sleep by Deleting Email App: Overcoming Feeling Overwhelmed

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Being a freelance writer means that my daily routine can vary greatly. Some days, I have too much work to handle, while on other days, I have too little to do.

Regardless of the type of job you have, one thing remains constant – email. I receive around 100 emails every day, ranging from trivial updates to important messages from my editor.

Every morning, the first thing I do after turning off my alarm is check my email. And before putting my phone away at night, I make sure to clear out any unread messages. I check my phone constantly throughout the day, always afraid of missing something crucial.

Approximately a year ago, I noticed that checking my email had become more of a distraction. I found myself constantly replying to messages during bathroom breaks and feeling anxious if I hit a mental block while working. I began receiving push notifications on my phone twice as often as checking on my computer.

To make matters worse, I started checking and responding to emails even during meals and walks, turning my downtime into work time.

The red dot on my email app had become a symbol of my professionalism. The more unread emails I had, the less competent I felt. Responding quickly to emails was crucial to maintain my reputation and continue receiving work assignments.

However, prioritizing speed over quality was taking a toll on me. I was overextending myself, not leaving any room for thoughtful work. I realized that I needed a change.

After a particularly busy emailing week, I decided to delete the email app from my phone.

Initially, I felt uneasy without notifications on my phone and checked my email frequently on my laptop. But soon, I noticed a positive difference. Being away from my computer allowed me to focus on things other than work, improving my sleep quality and reducing nighttime stress.

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While my work days remain unpredictable, I’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries for myself even in the absence of a structured routine. Taking uninterrupted breaks helps me focus better when I return to work. Delaying responses to emails by a few hours instead of immediately has not affected the sender and allows me to grasp the message better.

As a freelancer in a fast-paced industry, I no longer feel overwhelmed. Creating space for myself has been beneficial, allowing me to prioritize rest and relaxation. Now, I can spend my time on activities other than constantly checking emails on my phone.

Source: www.theguardian.com

A recent review suggests that using weighted blankets can be beneficial for enhancing sleep quality

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Weighted blankets can help improve sleep in adults with insomnia and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, but results are mixed in children, one researcher says. new review paper Published in American Occupational Therapy Journal.

dawson others. We suggest that occupational therapists should consider offering or recommending weighted blankets as a sleep intervention option for all age groups, taking into account individual preferences. Image credit: Martin de Arriba.

“Sleep is a basic human need, and not getting enough sleep can increase or worsen the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and mental health problems, as well as It can cause health problems.” Dr Suzanne Dawson, researcher at Flinders University.

“In occupational therapy, weighted blankets are becoming common among many age groups as an assistive technology, but there are no current clinical guidelines for their use.”

In a review study, Dr. Dawson and fellow authors considered 18 existing studies that investigated the overnight use of weighted blankets.

They found significant evidence supporting the use of weighted blankets to improve sleep in adults.

“Weighted blankets appear to offer a specific, non-drug intervention to improve sleep quality,” says Dr. Dawson.

“Adults who used the blanket reported improved sleep, reduced use of sleeping pills, and even improved mood and pain management.”

Despite strong evidence for use in adults, research on the use of weighted blankets in children is mixed, and there are limits to their ability to improve sleep in children with conditions such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorders.

“However, some parents report positive results with the use of weighted blankets, and some studies have shown that children’s daily functioning improves after using weighted blankets.”

“Parents often reported that when using blankets, their children seemed more relaxed, less anxious, and more focused in their daily lives. This has been shown to improve children’s overall health can have long-term effects,” Dr. Dawson said.

The authors note that for children and adults with cognitive impairments, the blankets used should be easy to remove on their own.

Although the findings indicate that overnight use of weighted blankets is recommended for adults and can be continued for children, the next step is to develop clear clinical guidelines for blanket use.

“This scoping study was conducted to inform change in practice and its findings were used to change state-wide protocols for the use of weighted blankets across South Australia’s public mental health services. I’m very happy about that,” Dr. Dawson said.

“Blankets come in many different types, including those with beads and chains, and those of varying weights, but there are still no standardized recommendations including type, weight, frequency of use, and duration. .”

“More rigorous research is needed to find out how best to use them, but the practical use of weighted blankets requires further research.”

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Suzanne Dawson others. 2024. Weighted Blankets as a Sleep Intervention: A Scope Review. American Occupational Therapy Journal 78 (5): 7805205​​160;doi: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050676

Source: www.sci.news

Orthosomnia: The Emergence of Sleep Perfectionists and the Resulting Exhaustion

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While I was on the treadmill at the gym the other day, I overheard a conversation between two men.

“We had an amazing night last night,” one of them exclaimed.

Intrigued, I listened for more details, hoping for a juicy story.

“The score was 96 points,” he continued.

My interest waned.

“It’s insane,,” replied his companion. “My average is 67, and I don’t see it going any higher.”

“But what about your heart rate?”

“I never check, but I know my REM score this week is unusually high,” he responded.

At the mention of REM, rapid eye movement, they delved into a discussion about sleep performance.

Welcome to the realm of Orthosomnia. This term refers to an unhealthy fixation on achieving perfect sleep, often driven by wearable devices. American researchers coined the term in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The study revealed that obsessively analyzing nightly sleep data might exacerbate insomnia. People may spend excessive time in bed striving for a flawless score, leading to heightened anxiety over their sleep performance.

“Perfect sleep doesn’t really exist” by behavioral sleep therapist Katie Fisher

But what constitutes a “good sleep score”? And can one manipulate involuntary biological processes?

According to behavioral sleep therapist Katie Fisher, many clients are fixated on achieving the “perfect” night’s sleep. She emphasizes that individuals who sleep well often don’t think much about it. Conversely, those who struggle with sleep attempt to hit a specific number of hours without realizing that their needs may differ. Fisher asserts that excessive monitoring of sleep data only induces stress and recommends focusing on how one feels rather than fixating on numbers.

Dr. Neil Stanley, author of How to Sleep Well, questions the utility of sleep tracking devices. While they can provide basic information on sleep duration, accurately discerning between sleep stages requires advanced monitoring. He highlights the importance of listening to one’s body rather than relying solely on data.

Professor Guy Leszziner also raises doubts about the efficacy of sleep tracking. He stresses the need to address underlying obstacles to good sleep, such as sleep disorders or lifestyle factors. Leszziner argues that while REM sleep plays a critical role, fixation on REM data may not yield significant insights into overall sleep quality.

Illustration: Jess Jenkins/Guardian

Both experts advocate for a more holistic approach to sleep, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and lifestyle adjustments rather than fixating on sleep data. They highlight the need to prioritize self-care and listen to the body’s cues for optimal rest and well-being.

Dr. Neil Stanley, author of How to Sleep Better.

Ultimately, the focus should be on improving overall well-being and quality of life, rather than fixating on arbitrary sleep scores. By tuning in to one’s body and making sustainable lifestyle choices, individuals can optimize their sleep and overall health.

The quest for perfect sleep may lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety, detracting from the essence of rest and relaxation. Instead of relying solely on data, individuals should prioritize self-care, listen to their bodies, and adopt healthy sleep habits to achieve long-term well-being.

As technology advances, sleep tracking may become more sophisticated, but the fundamental principles of good sleep remain unchanged. It is essential to strike a balance between leveraging technology for insights and honoring the body’s natural rhythm and needs.

In a world obsessed with metrics and data, the key to quality sleep lies not in numbers but in a holistic approach that integrates self-awareness, healthy habits, and a deep connection with one’s body.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Simple (and unexpected) hacks for getting better sleep during warm nights

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Struggling to catch some shut-eye with temperatures soaring in your bedroom? As climate change intensifies and heatwaves become more common, researchers have observed that nighttime temperatures are rising at a faster rate compared to daytime temperatures.

This trend of climate change is affecting sleep quality, making it increasingly difficult to get a good night’s rest. Studies show that people lose an average of 44 hours of sleep due to heat every year, and this is not limited to specific regions. A recent global study revealed that higher temperatures are linked to shorter sleep durations across 68 countries, with individuals experiencing shortened sleep times with warmer temperatures.

The study involved 47,000 adults who used wrist-worn sleep trackers to monitor their sleep patterns compared to both the average and their personal baseline. The results confirmed that as temperatures increased, sleep durations decreased.

“People are going to bed later and waking up earlier than usual,” said Dr. Kelton Miner, a data scientist at Columbia University and the lead author of the study. “This shift in sleep patterns increases the likelihood of experiencing shorter sleep durations compared to one’s individual baseline.”

Research projections indicate that by the end of the century, individuals could lose an average of two weeks of sleep annually due to temperature-related disturbances, equating to 50 to 58 hours of lost sleep. Compensating for this significant sleep deficit becomes challenging for many.

Addressing the issue, Miner suggested that while air conditioning provides relief, the widespread adoption of this technology would significantly impact global energy consumption. Alternatively, using fans can be a more energy-efficient cooling option, promoting heat loss through convection and evaporation.

Adhering to optimal sleep temperatures, enhancing indoor ventilation, and adopting cooling measures like cold showers can aid in combating the adverse effects of rising nighttime temperatures on sleep quality. As the battle against heat-induced sleep loss continues, exploring innovative solutions such as cooling mattress toppers can provide additional relief.

About our experts

Dr. Kelton Miner: A data scientist at Columbia University specializing in climate and technological change research, encompassing studies like One Planet, Lancet, and Sleeping pills reviews.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Hidden Culprit Behind Your Sleep Troubles: Excessive Fatigue and How to Overcome It

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You’ve probably experienced this feeling before: after a long and exhausting day, all you want to do is curl up and sleep. But instead of allowing you to rest, your brain decides it’s time for some mischief, leaving you wide awake with thoughts racing through your mind.

So why does this happen? Why does our brain keep us awake when we’re most in need of sleep? The answer may lie in the fact that we’re just too tired to sleep.

If you’ve heard of this concept before, it’s often associated with babies who become “over-fatigued” when kept awake for too long, leading to stress and sleep disturbances.

However, the same phenomenon can occur in adults when unchecked emotions interfere with the body’s ability to shut down for sleep. And the longer you stay tired, the harder it becomes to fall asleep.

Fortunately, there are ways to break this cycle. In the following sections, we’ll not only explore what excessive fatigue is, but also share three simple, scientifically-backed steps to help you overcome excessive fatigue for good.

Excessive fatigue ruins your sleep

Being excessively tired is a paradoxical situation. When you’re physically and mentally drained, your brain is actually in a state of hyperarousal, making it difficult to relax and fall asleep.

This hyperarousal state hinders the body’s natural sleep mechanisms, particularly the buildup of sleep pressure.

Sleep pressure refers to the increase in neurochemicals and hormones that signal your body’s need for sleep as you stay awake throughout the day.

According to Professor Matt Jones from the University of Bristol, “As sleep pressure builds up, the brain may also become more excitable, with neurons in the cerebral cortex firing at an increased rate.”

By maintaining hyper-vigilance and allowing intrusive thoughts to dominate your mind, you disrupt the brain’s ability to reset the sleep pressure system, making it harder to fall asleep.

Furthermore, chronic fatigue and sleep deprivation can exacerbate this cycle by feeding troubling thoughts that persist into the following night.

In a recent study, individuals with insomnia were found to ruminate more about past embarrassing events than healthy sleepers, leading to longer sleep onset times.

Additionally, insomniacs may become hypersensitive to bodily sensations like their own heartbeat, further inhibiting their ability to fall asleep.

Dr. Jones explains, “Insomnia creates a heightened awareness of irrelevant information, placing undue strain on the brain and hindering the natural process of sleep onset.”

©Getty

How to avoid being too tired

If you find yourself feeling overly tired and mentally restless when trying to sleep, it indicates that key brain areas are still in a state of hyperarousal, preventing you from processing the events of the day.

According to Dr. Alex Scott of Keele University, modern society’s difficulty in regulating emotions and processing experiences often leaves individuals unable to positively address their emotions, leading to rumination and anxiety at bedtime.

To combat excessive fatigue and improve sleep quality, Scott recommends three simple strategies:

1. Stop counting sheep

Contrary to popular belief, focusing on falling asleep can actually make it more difficult to do so. Rather than forcing yourself to sleep, Dr. Scott suggests acknowledging that sleep is an automatic process that can’t be rushed. Instead of counting sheep, focus on processing your emotions through activities like journaling.

2. Keep a worry diary

Keeping a worry journal before bed can help you identify and address troubling thoughts that may be contributing to your inability to sleep. By writing down your worries and potential solutions, you can externalize and process these concerns, allowing your mind to relax and prepare for sleep.

3. Set a Bedtime Timer

To create a buffer between daily activities and bedtime, set a bedtime alarm to allow time for relaxation and decompression. Engaging in calming activities like reading or meditation before bed can help ease mental fatigue and promote restful sleep.

About our experts

Professor Matt Jones: A neuroscientist at the University of Bristol specializing in sleep science, memory, and decision-making.

Dr. Alex Scott: A psychology lecturer at Keele University whose research focuses on the role of sleep in mental health.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Dangers of Overlooked Fatigue on Your Sleep and Ways to Combat It

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You’ve probably experienced this scenario before: after a long day, feeling mentally and physically drained, all you want to do is crawl into bed and sleep.

However, your brain, the most powerful biological supercomputer in the universe, decides to play tricks on you. Instead of allowing you to rest, it keeps you wide awake, with thoughts racing through your mind at lightning speed.

So why does this happen? Why does it prevent us from sleeping when we need it the most? The answer is simple: when you’re too tired, your brain overrides the signals for sleep and keeps you awake.

If you’ve heard of being “over-fatigued” before, it’s often used to describe babies who become agitated and unsettled from being awake too long, leading to sleep disturbances and stress.

Similarly, adults can experience the same issues when unaddressed emotions interfere with the body’s natural sleep processes. The longer you stay fatigued, the more challenging it becomes to fall asleep.

Fortunately, there are ways to break this cycle. In the sections below, we’ll explore what causes excessive fatigue and share three scientifically proven steps to combat it for good.

Excessive fatigue impacts your sleep quality

Being overly tired is a paradoxical situation. When you’re physically and mentally drained, your brain is actually overstimulated and in a state of hyperarousal, making it difficult to transition to sleep.

This hyperarousal state affects essential functions that promote sleep, particularly hindering the buildup of sleep pressure in the brain.

Sleep pressure refers to the buildup of neurochemicals and hormones that increase throughout the day, signaling your body’s need for rest.

“Interestingly, as sleep pressure rises, the brain can become more excitable,” explains Professor Matt Jones, a Neuroscientist at the University of Bristol. “The neurons in the cerebral cortex tend to fire more frequently as wakefulness increases.”

“The primary theory is that sleep helps reset sleep pressure, preventing the brain from becoming overly excited and metaphorically ‘exploding!'”

When you’re vigilant and overwhelmed by racing thoughts, this process of resetting the brain for sleep is disrupted, particularly impacting the locus ceruleus area in the brainstem.

“In times of hyperarousal, the activity in this brain region remains high, impeding the transition to sleep and resisting mechanisms that facilitate falling asleep,” Jones clarifies.

Furthermore, persistent fatigue and sleep deprivation can exacerbate troubling thoughts, making it harder to sleep the following night.

“A study in 2019 found that individuals with insomnia were more likely to ruminate about recent embarrassing events and have disrupted sleep compared to healthy sleepers,” he explains.

“Insomniacs might even become hypersensitive to their heartbeat, showing how an unrested brain struggles to ignore irrelevant stimuli,” Jones adds.

“A well-rested brain can filter out unnecessary information, but insomnia disrupts this process, leading to increased mental strain,” he concludes.

©Getty

Strategies to prevent excessive fatigue

When you’re too tired and key brain regions remain hyperaroused while trying to sleep, essential processes for rest are disrupted.

Dr. Alex Scott, a Psychology lecturer at Keele University, explains that in today’s society, people struggle to regulate their emotions and process daily experiences effectively due to various distractions.

“At the end of the day, we are less inclined to deal positively with our emotions, often exaggerating worries and ruminating in bed,” he shares.

Scott suggests that when fatigued, individuals tend to use unhealthy coping mechanisms, like rumination and blame-shifting.

If rumination proves ineffective for alleviating fatigue, Scott recommends the following three strategies:

1. Avoid counting sheep

Paradoxically, trying too hard to fall asleep can make it even harder. Instead of using traditional methods like counting sheep, Scott encourages individuals to understand that sleep is an automated process that cannot be forced.

“Focus on processing your emotions through exercises like a worry journal,” Scott advises.

2. Maintain a worry diary

Although it may seem tedious, journaling your worries can significantly improve sleep quality for those with sleep issues, according to Scott.

Before bedtime, write down all your concerns in a journal, allowing you to acknowledge them and develop strategies to address them the next day.

“The act of writing down your worries may help you rationalize them and temporarily set them aside, promoting better sleep,” Scott explains.

3. Establish a bedtime routine

Creating a relaxation routine before bed, ideally starting an hour before sleep, can help alleviate mental fatigue and prepare your mind for rest.

“Engage in activities like reading, mindfulness, or journaling during this time to unwind and avoid associating your bed with worries,” Scott suggests.

Learn more about our experts

Professor Matt Jones: A Neuroscientist at the University of Bristol, delving into the science of sleep, memory, and decision-making. His research has been featured in numerous academic journals, such as Frontiers in Neurology, Sleep, and the Neuroscience Journal.

Dr. Alex Scott: As a Psychology lecturer at Keele University, Scott explores the relationship between sleep and mental health issues. His work has been published in esteemed journals like the British Journal of Health Psychology and the British Medical Journal.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Melatonin’s benefits extend beyond improving sleep

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Have you ever taken melatonin to help you sleep? Melatonin is a natural hormone involved in sleep. Our brains react to darkness by synthesizing melatonin, which helps regulate our internal and biological clocks. circadian rhythm. However, melatonin has many diverse functions that help maintain our health. It’s more than just a good night’s sleep.

For example, researchers have shown in the past that melatonin is an antioxidant and helps calm inflammation. When our bodies are damaged, the immune system initiates a natural repair response through inflammation, but excessive inflammation can actually harm cells. Scientists have discovered that melatonin has anti-inflammatory properties and can help stop harmful inflammation.

These properties have led scientists to propose that melatonin may also help heal injuries associated with severe inflammation, such as spinal cord injuries. These complex injuries are rooted in the central nervous system and can affect our ability to move, speak, and process information. Healing is very difficult because spinal cord cells cannot regenerate like other cells such as skin cells.

A team of Chinese scientists recently began testing whether melatonin can reduce spinal cord injuries in mice. They hypothesized that melatonin may do so through a biochemical pathway that activates it. anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

The researchers paralyzed the limbs of 100 mice to simulate spinal cord injury, then injected them with different doses of melatonin. They injected a control group of 25 mice with a placebo and compared their responses to mice receiving melatonin injections.

The scientists took sections of tissue from the spinal cords of mice before and after giving them melatonin. They stained the tissue to see if the cells were dead, dying, or normal. They found that mice injected with melatonin had fewer dead cells than the control group.

To see how the mice responded to these treatments at the cellular level, the scientists also investigated the energy factories in the mice’s cells, mitochondria. They stained the mice’s mitochondria and examined them under a microscope. Scientists have discovered that the mitochondria in mice are fatally affected by paralysis. They observed bubble-like structures within the mitochondria. vacuole, only in mice that did not receive melatonin. This means that the mouse’s cells died from lack of energy, just as plants die when they are deprived of water.

The research team confirmed that fewer vacuoles formed within mitochondria in mice injected with melatonin. They suggested that this means that melatonin’s antioxidant properties protect the membranes of our cellular power-generating factories, just as our skin protects us from the elements.

Scientists also tested whether melatonin could prevent inflammation and other changes in the chemical structure of cells by interacting with proteins.a protein called NLRP3 inflammasome Code of inflammation within our body. Scientists predicted that too much NLRP3 could promote injury, cause uncontrolled inflammation, and cause cell death.

The scientists used a gel-based method to separate proteins in tissue samples based on size. western blot, to detect what kind of proteins are made by mice injected with melatonin. They confirmed that melatonin interacted with the NLRP3 inflammasome in these mice through proteins of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and reversed the inflammatory effects of NLRP3. They confirmed that melatonin reduced inflammation in these mice and prevented the progression of the simulated spinal cord injury.

The researchers concluded that melatonin may reduce spinal cord injury and provide insight into the recovery process. They suggested that future researchers should test whether melatonin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects could treat other diseases associated with cell death, such as Alzheimer’s disease.


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Source: sciworthy.com

The process of memory storage in the brain during sleep

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Memory is a mysterious phenomenon. Some life events remain sharp in our memories no matter how long ago they occurred, while details from the previous day can quickly fade away.

A recent study published in the journal Science has uncovered the mechanism behind this phenomenon. Researchers have identified a system in the brains of humans and other mammals that determines which experiences are significant enough to be stored in long-term memory and which are forgotten.

Experiments conducted on mice demonstrated that specific patterns of brain activity called “sharp ripples” in the hippocampus, the area responsible for memory formation, occur during wakefulness. These patterns act as tags for important experiences, which are then transferred to long-term memory during sleep.

Although the study was carried out on mice, the lead author, Dr. Johnson, believes that the findings are applicable to humans as well, given the similarities in certain brain processes across mammalian species.

György Buzaki, the Biggs Professor of Neuroscience at New York University Langone Health, emphasized the unconscious nature of this memory consolidation process.

In the study, mice were rewarded with a treat after successfully navigating a maze, while their brain activity was monitored using implanted electrodes. The researchers observed that specific brain activity patterns observed during wakefulness were replayed during sleep, facilitating the conversion of important experiences into long-term memories.

This process highlights the crucial role that sleep plays in memory formation, as experiences deemed important during waking hours are transformed into lasting memories during rest.

According to the researchers, experiences that do not trigger the formation of sharp ripples are less likely to be stored in long-term memory.

To enhance the likelihood of memory retention, Dr. Buzaki suggests taking breaks after significant experiences to allow for the consolidation of memories.

Long-term memory requires relaxation

Research indicates that intentional pauses after experiences can aid in the formation of long-term memories. Dr. Buzaki recommends engaging in relaxing activities post-experience to facilitate the creation of sharp ripples in the brain, a process crucial for memory storage.

For example, after watching a movie, going for a leisurely walk can enhance the chances of remembering the film, as it allows for the encoding of memories.

Dr. Daniela Schiller, a professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at Icahn School of Medicine, highlighted the study’s intriguing discovery regarding brain activity patterns during rest and their resemblance to real-life experiences.

Dr. Daphna Shohamy, director of the Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University, emphasized the importance of pauses and bursts of brain activity in memory formation, noting that these elements enhance the likelihood of experiences being stored in long-term memory.

In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the unconscious mechanisms behind memory formation and underscores the significance of rest and relaxation in preserving lasting memories.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Lack of sleep can age you prematurely

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Prioritizing sleep can help you feel younger

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Being sleep deprived can make you feel several years older than you actually are.

how old someone feels, or subjective age; associated with a variety of physical and mental health outcomesespecially depression. “Age is more than just a perception,” he says Leonie Balter At Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. “We know that people who feel younger than their actual age are healthier and live longer.”

Considering the importance of sleep to our mental and physical health, Balter and John AxelsonAt Karolinska Institutet, we also decided to investigate whether it affects our subjective age.

They surveyed 429 people between the ages of 18 and 70 about how old they felt and how much sleep they had gotten in the past 30 days.

The researchers found that reporting sleep deprivation was associated with participants feeling older than their actual age, with consecutive days of sleep deprivation making participants feel older by an average of 0.23 years. was found to increase. In contrast, those who reported getting enough sleep over a 30-day period were, on average, 5.81 years younger than their chronological age.

In the second half of the study, the pair recruited an additional 186 people. These participants were asked to aim for 9 hours of sleep over two consecutive nights over a two-week period, which was recorded via a sleep log and sleep tracking wrist device. They were then told to limit their sleep to four hours for two consecutive nights.

After this period of sleep restriction, subjects reported feeling on average 4.44 years older than their age, whereas under the 9-hour sleep condition they reported feeling 0.24 years younger. Compared to those who felt the least fatigued, those who felt the most fatigue reported feeling about 10 years older.

The findings show that sleep is an important indicator of how old some people feel, and that it is linked to our health, Balter says. “If you protect your sleep, you'll feel younger,” she says.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Brain activity during sleep linked to Alzheimer’s disease, say researchers

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Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disease that impairs brain functions such as memory and reasoning, and there is currently no known cure. People with this disease begin with basic forgetfulness, gradually lose control of their motor skills, and eventually become unable to complete normal daily activities.

Scientists have discovered that abnormal proteins that accumulate in and around brain cells are the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease. They also discovered that the disease depends on genetics, aging, and lifestyle choices such as being active and eating a healthy diet. However, it is not known how other disorders, such as sleep disorders, may exacerbate symptoms.

Scientists have hypothesized that brain activity during sleep may be related to Alzheimer’s disease because many important memory-related events occur during sleep. Scientists are therefore hoping to find out whether disruptions in brain function during sleep are related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis recently tested whether Alzheimer’s disease is related to electrical activity that occurs in the brain during sleep. Most people experience changes in brain activity early in the night as the body relaxes and goes to sleep. Each of these changes sleep vibration event, lasts about 20-40 minutes. The researchers hypothesized that the interactions of brain circuits during sleep oscillations are different in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease and could be used for diagnostic purposes.

To test their hypothesis, the scientists used a machine that measures electrical activity in the brain. electroencephalograph, or brain waves.They chose 205 political partiesParticipants who have previously completed at least 3 nights of EEG measurements, 1 night of home sleep apnea testing, and clinical dementia testing.Based on dementia testing, most One participant had no cognitive impairment, some participants had very mild cognitive impairment, and one participant had mild cognitive impairment.

The researchers asked participants to wear the EEG as a headband while they slept, allowing them to measure brain waves during the sleep oscillation phenomenon. The three types of sleep oscillatory events they measured during the experiment were: theta burst, sleeping spindleand slow waves.

The researchers explained that theta bursts occur when humans are in light sleep and help process information and form memories. Sleep spindles occur during non-rapid eye movement sleep and are involved in memory consolidation. Slow waves occur during deep sleep, slowing heart and breathing rates, and also play a role in memory development.

The researchers categorized each patient’s individual slow-wave events by how often they coincided with sleep spindles and theta bursts. They classified sleep spindle and slow wave events that occur within 1.5 seconds of each other as coupled events. They also classified theta burst and slow wave events that occurred within 0.5 seconds of each other as coupled events.

The researchers found that people with cognitive impairment had weaker electrical activity during theta bursts and greater differences in brain electrical activity during theta bursts and slow waves. They also found that people with cognitive impairment and other biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease had fewer slow waves with theta bursts and sleep spindles. The researchers interpreted their results to confirm that disruptions in brain circuits involved in memory function during sleep may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers concluded that the EEG pattern of sleep oscillatory events could be used as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers suggested that early signs of the neurodegenerative process associated with Alzheimer’s disease could be detected in sleeping patients’ brain waves, even before they develop cognitive symptoms. They also believe that the results may provide an accessible and cost-effective tool for monitoring brain health and early Alzheimer’s disease, allowing for earlier responses and improved patient treatment. suggested something.


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Source: sciworthy.com

Neuroscientists find that brain waves aid in clearing waste from the brain during sleep

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According to a new study from Washington University in St. Louis, individual neurons work together to generate rhythmic waves that propel fluid through dense brain tissue, cleaning it in the process.

Accumulation of metabolic waste products is a major cause of many neurological diseases, but there is still limited knowledge about how the brain performs self-cleaning.Jean Xie other. They demonstrate that neural networks synchronize individual action potentials to generate large-amplitude, rhythmic, self-perpetuating ion waves within the brain's interstitial fluid. Image credit: Jiang-Xie other., doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07108-6.

“These neurons are miniature pumps,” said Dr. Li-Feng Jiang-Xie, lead author of the study.

“Synchronized neural activity facilitates fluid flow and removal of debris from the brain.”

“If we can develop this process, we could slow or prevent neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, where excess waste products such as metabolic waste and junk proteins accumulate in the brain and cause neurodegeneration. It may be possible.”

Brain cells form a dynamic network that coordinates thoughts, emotions, and body movements and is essential for memory formation and problem solving.

But to perform these energy-intensive tasks, your brain cells need fuel. When you take in nutrients from your diet, metabolic waste products are produced in the process.

“It is important that the brain processes metabolic waste products that can accumulate and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases,” said Professor Jonathan Kipnis, senior author of the study.

“We knew that sleep is a time when the brain begins a cleansing process to flush out waste and toxins that have accumulated during wakefulness. But how does that happen? I didn't understand.”

“These findings may point us to strategies and potential treatments to accelerate the removal of hazardous waste and remove it before it leads to dire consequences.”

However, cleaning the dense brain is not an easy task. The cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain enters a complex network of cells, collecting toxic waste as it passes through it.

On leaving the brain, contaminated fluids must pass through a barrier in the dura mater (the outer layer of tissue that surrounds the brain under the skull) before flooding into the lymph vessels.

But what powers the flow of fluid into, into, and out of the brain?

“Researchers studied the brains of sleeping mice and discovered that neurons work together to fire electrical signals that generate rhythmic waves in the brain, prompting cleaning efforts,” says Jean. Dr. Shi said.

The study authors determined that such waves drive fluid movement.

They silenced certain brain areas so that neurons in those areas no longer produced rhythmic waves.

Without these waves, fresh cerebrospinal fluid cannot flow through the silenced brain areas and trapped waste products cannot exit the brain tissue.

“One of the reasons we sleep is to cleanse the brain,” Professor Kipnis says.

“And if we can enhance this cleansing process, perhaps we can sleep less and stay healthy.”

“Not everyone can benefit from eight hours of sleep each night, and lack of sleep can affect your health.”

“Other studies have shown that mice genetically short-sleeping have healthier brains.”

“Is it to remove waste products from the brain more efficiently?”

“Is it possible to strengthen the brain purification ability of people suffering from insomnia so that they can live with less sleep?”

of study Published in the Journal on February 28, 2024 Nature.

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LF.Jean Xie other. Neurodynamics directs cerebrospinal fluid perfusion and brain clearance. Nature, published online on February 28, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07108-6

Source: www.sci.news

Keeping your eyes open can lead to faster sleep because of the body’s natural response to darkness.

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Do you find yourself tossing and turning all night once again? Are you counting down the hours until your unyielding alarm goes off? If you’re a reader struggling with sleep, you’re not alone.

Many of us have experienced the frustration of feeling like the more we try to force ourselves to sleep, the more it eludes us. But is this truly the case?

According to recent trends on TikTok, trying to fall asleep can actually hinder your ability to do so. In fact, influencers are actively promoting the idea of not trying to fall asleep. This counterintuitive technique is known as “paradoxical intent,” and while it may be new to TikTok, it’s a scientifically backed method.

As it turns out, there is scientific support behind TikTok after all. Who would have thought?

“Paradoxical intentions are a well-established therapeutic technique that has been used in psychotherapy for decades,” explains Colin Espie, Professor of Sleep Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford. “In fact, I conducted my first research using paradoxical intention therapy in the 1980s.”

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What is paradoxical intent?

Paradoxical intent can be useful for various phobias and anxiety disorders, but the underlying premise remains the same: deliberately adopting an attitude contrary to the desired outcome.

For instance, if a patient has a phobia of failure, a psychologist might assist the patient in confronting failure instead of avoiding it, ultimately reducing fear and anxiety.

“The fundamental directive regarding sleep is that you should aim to stay awake when you’re in bed, feeling sleepy, or waking up in the middle of the night,” Espie explains. “You need to switch your intention from sleeping to staying awake.”

Although this approach may seem illogical at first, it is based on the idea that trying too hard to sleep can backfire.

“Sleep is largely an involuntary process, so attempting to control it often interferes with the natural sleep process,” Espie says. “Essentially, you can’t force sleep; you can only invite it. It’s like stepping back from being awake rather than actively pursuing sleep.”

How to use paradoxical intention to fall asleep faster

Implementing paradoxical intent is simple, but there are some considerations to keep in mind before giving it a try.

1. Go to bed when you feel sleepy (not before)

It may seem obvious, but you can’t sleep unless you’re tired. While paradoxical intention involves trying to stay awake, attempting this during the day is not as challenging.

“Sometimes people go to bed early because they’re desperate for sleep, but if they’re not morning people, they may struggle, leading to falling asleep early in the evening,” Espie notes.

2. Prepare for bed as usual

Despite its fancy name, paradoxical intent doesn’t require any elaborate setup. There’s no need for high-tech gadgets or sleep meditation apps; simplicity is key.

Espy recommends getting into bed, turning off the lights, and lying down.

3. Keep your eyes open instead of closing them

There are several ways to practice paradoxical intent, but this is the simplest approach.

“Keep your eyes open, assume that position, and tell yourself, ‘I am not falling asleep, I am not falling asleep, I am not falling asleep,'” Espie suggests.

“Then, encourage yourself further by saying phrases like, ‘I will stay awake a bit longer,’ or ‘I will keep my eyes open for 10 more seconds.’ Whenever you feel your eyes drooping, say ‘No.'” he explains.

Gradually, it becomes increasingly challenging to keep your eyes open, and instead of struggling to fall asleep, you find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open.

If you sense sleep approaching, try not to resist or acknowledge it too much. Simply allow it to happen.

As an additional tip, Espie recommends keeping a tissue or handkerchief under your pillow in case your eyes start to water.

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4. Don’t take it too literally

The most common mistake people make when employing paradoxical intent is interpreting it too literally.

“It’s not about tormenting yourself to stay awake at all costs. The goal isn’t to prevent yourself from sleeping,” Espie clarifies.

“If you overdo it, you will be overly determined to stay awake, interfering with sleep. The real aim is to allow sleep to naturally happen,” he adds.

5. Be consistent

Changing your sleep patterns doesn’t happen overnight, so persistence is key. “To derive the most benefit from these strategies, you need to continue using them for a while,” Espie advises.

“One challenge with such an approach,” notes the Oxford professor who advocates for it, “is that if it works initially but falters over time, people may become disillusioned, potentially leading to depression.”

“This is usually because individuals underestimate the extent of their sleep problems and the ingrained habit of overthinking,” he explains.

If the issue persists, seeking professional help is crucial. “It’s not just a lifestyle matter,” Espie emphasizes, “sometimes, people need assistance.”

“This is not a hack”

Contrary to what TikTokers may suggest, there is no magical trick to manipulate our brains.

“You can’t outsmart human nature,” Espie asserts. “Sleep is an essential process, and this is not a technique to switch on sleep. It’s not a game.”

He finds it intriguing that sleep advice and techniques are gaining popularity on social media. TikTok’s #insomnia tag currently boasts around 600,000 posts, while the #sleep tag has over 2.9 million posts.

Meanwhile, according to a study investigating American adults, nearly three-quarters of social media usage occurs right before bedtime. It might be an opportune time to learn new sleep strategies, don’t you think?

According to Espie, the increasing online interest in the subject could indicate rising levels of insomnia.

“The value of sleep and the need for effective solutions to sleep issues are sorely underestimated, with many young individuals in particular struggling,” he observes.

“This is why paradoxical intentions are so beneficial; they remind us that the answer isn’t a gimmick, pill, or potion. It’s sleep itself.

“The solution lies in establishing healthy sleep habits to attain the rest you deserve.”

About our experts

Colin Espie is a Professor of Sleep Medicine at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience (NDCN) at the University of Oxford. He established the Experimental and Clinical Sleep Medicine Research Program at the Sir Jules Soane Sleep & Circadian Institute (SCNi). Additionally, he serves as the Clinical Director of Oxford’s Sleep Medicine Online Program.

Professor Espie is also a Research Fellow at Somerville College, University of Oxford, and a Senior Research Fellow in the University’s Department of Psychiatry. He is the author of the book “Overcoming Insomnia,” a self-help guide utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, including guidance on paradoxical intentions.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Upgrade Your Winter Sleep with “Paleo Lighting”

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It’s that time again. The clocks have turned back and many of us are reaching for SAD lamps, vitamin D supplements, and carb-heavy one-pots to get us through the long, dark winter nights. But perhaps there is another way to welcome the change of seasons.

What happens if you embrace the darkness? Darkness at the right time and in the right amount helps our bodies rest and heal, optimizes cognition and mental health, and lowers the risk of various diseases.

That’s because our circadian rhythm, or internal body clock, is triggered not only by light, but also by the lack of light. “To optimize your sleep, you need to make it as dark as possible and have as few distractions as possible,” he says. Professor Victoria RevellHe researches circadian physiology at the Surrey Sleep Research Center.

“We know that constantly disrupted sleep impacts health. It’s associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, increased cancer risk, and more.”

In 2022, researchers at Northwestern University discovered: Exposure to even moderate light during sleep can negatively impact cardiovascular function (Light stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, increases morning heart rate, and causes insulin resistance).

In another study at Harvard University, blood sugar levels rise When exposed to light at night. Artificial sources of blue light, such as smartphones and similar devices, are thought to have the same stimulating effect on our bodies as sunlight.

Research on this is still inconclusive, but in one 2017 study, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder took groups of volunteers away from city lights and camping without smartphones or flashlights. I went. The only additional lighting allowed was a campfire.

As a result of the research, Camping trip 'reset' volunteers' biological clocks, people sleep and wake up according to their circadian rhythms. Like many animals, humans' natural sleep-wake cycle evolved in sync with our day and night patterns.

And just as morning light stimulates alertness and supports immune function and mental health, your body also responds to darkness. (For example, melatonin, also known as the Dracula hormone) is produced by the pineal gland in direct response to darkness.

In a Colorado study, campers started producing melatonin two hours earlier. “Melatonin is involved in opening the 'sleep gate,'” Revell says. “It's the beginning of the process of relaxing and preparing for sleep.” It’s also the subject of research into a variety of health conditions.

Although the picture is incomplete, higher levels of melatonin are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and certain cancers. If you suffer from a lack of darkness, switching to permanent dark mode is also not a solution.

Studies have shown that night shift workers and people confined to darkness are at higher risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. In other words, we need both light and darkness, and we need them at the right time.

Some researchers say the solution is a kind of “paleoillumination” – living like our ancestors by making the most of sunlight during the day and keeping it dark at night. suggests. As night approaches, how about a lightbulb moment?

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Reindeer are able to eat and sleep simultaneously

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Reindeer can multitask

gabriella wagner

The reindeer seems to be dozing all day long, ruminating on the cud. This may be an adaptation to their arctic habitat, where food is plentiful in the summer and they must eat constantly to gain enough weight to survive the winter.

Reindeer chew the cud to help break down the fibrous plants that make up their food. That is, it regurgitates food from the stomach back into the mouth for further chewing. And they often stare at each other in a trance-like manner while munching. “You can see it in their faces. They’re a little distant,” he says. gabriella wagner At the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy. “However, no one had ever measured reindeer’s brain waves before, so no one knew whether reindeer really slept.”

Wagner and her colleagues used electroencephalography (EEG) with metal electrodes attached to the heads of four Eurasian tundra reindeer.Langifer Tarandus Tarandus), and over the next few days recorded electrical pulses in their brains as they ate, slept and moved around.

The reindeer’s brain wave patterns revealed that when they ruminate, they are in a light sleep stage called non-REM sleep, suggesting that reindeer can recharge while ruminating. “It’s very similar to human sleep; it has the same stages of sleep spindles and slow-wave activity,” Wagner explains of the bursts of brain activity visible on the EEG. They also found that the longer reindeer ruminated, the less they needed additional rest.

Wagner suspects this kind of multitasking might help animals get enough rest during the summer, when they spend almost all their time foraging in preparation for winter. “This seems to be a perfect adaptation to the Arctic, where there is a very short period of the year where they have to eat all the time to gain weight,” she says.

Resting while ruminating may also explain why reindeer appear to sleep the same amount regardless of season, unlike most other species that sleep more in winter.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unveiling the Reality of Sleep Disorders: When a Night Shift Becomes a Nightmare

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A new study investigated the relationship between shift work patterns, sociodemographic factors, and sleep disorders. They found that shift work, especially night shifts, significantly disrupted sleep, with about a third of all participants reporting at least one sleep disorder. The study also found that demographic factors such as gender, age, and education level influence sleep health.

A new study shows that working night shifts increases the incidence of sleep disorders, especially in young people with low levels of education.

Sleep is important not only for physical and mental health, but also for daytime and neurocognitive function. When people work in shifts (21% of workers in the European Union worked shifts in 2015), their circadian sleep-wake rhythms are often disrupted. Now, Dutch researchers have investigated the relationship between different shift work patterns, sociodemographic factors, and sleep disorders.

“Compared to working regular shifts during the day, working other shift types has been shown to have a higher incidence of sleep disturbances, especially those working rotational or regular night shifts,” GGZ Drenthe said Dr. Marike Lancel, a state mental health researcher.Institute and lead author of the study published in frontiers of psychiatry. “Notably, 51% of those working night shifts tested positive for at least one sleep disorder.”

ask about sleep

“There is a lot of evidence that shift work reduces sleep quality. However, there is little evidence of the impact that different types of shifts have on the prevalence of different sleep disorders and how this varies depending on demographic characteristics. “We know very little about whether they will,” Lancel continued.

To fill these gaps, researchers recruited more than 37,000 participants and provided demographic information indicating their shift work patterns (regular morning, evening, night, or switching between shifts).

They also completed a questionnaire screening on six common sleep disorder categories: insomnia, hypersomnia, parasomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders, sleep-related movement disorders, and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders.

Responses suggested that regular night shifts are the most debilitating condition when it comes to sleep. Half of night shift workers reported sleeping less than 6 hours in a 24-hour period, 51% reported one sleep disorder, and 26% reported two or more sleep disorders.

In the overall study population, approximately one-third tested positive for at least one sleep disorder and 12.6% tested positive for two or more sleep disorders.

Demographic factors and sleep health

Researchers also investigated whether demographic factors such as gender, age, and highest level of education influenced sleep health. We also considered whether participants lived alone, with a partner or children, or with others, such as friends or parents.

The results showed that although men slept less than women, sleep problems were more common in women. Age also affected sleep health. Although older participants tended to sleep less, most sleep disorders and their comorbidities were found to be more prevalent in the youngest participant group, those under 30 years of age.

Researchers found a correlation between education level and the likelihood of having disrupted sleep. “The effects of shift work on sleep are most pronounced among young people with low levels of education,” Lancel said. This group had shorter sleep duration and significantly higher prevalence of sleep disorders and their comorbidities.

Night shifts and sleep challenges

Researchers found that some people who work night shifts may have fewer sleep-related problems than others, but for the average night shift worker, this irregular work pattern can lead to less regular sleep-related problems. They said they would be more likely to struggle with healthy sleep. sleep. “People who work night shifts are unlikely to be completely immune to all the negative effects of night shifts, as they remain focused on their day jobs and out of sync with the environment in which they live,” Lancell said. explained.

The researchers also noted that their study had certain limitations. For example, people with sleep disorders may be more likely to participate in studies focused on sleep than people who sleep well. Nevertheless, the authors said their findings may provide important information for employers in occupations where shift work is common. It may also be used to educate strategies on how to best address and reduce the effects of night work and sleep days.

References: “Shift work is associated with widespread sleep disturbances, especially when working at night,” GJ Boersma, T. Mijnster, P. Vantyghem, GA Kerkhof, Marike Lancel, October 17, 2023. frontiers of psychiatry.
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1233640

Source: scitechdaily.com

“Unconscious Brain Activity and Epileptic Seizures: The Role of Sleep Brain Waves”

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A new study has found that the slow brain waves typical of sleep occur in epilepsy patients when they are awake, helping to prevent the brain from becoming more excited. These waves reduce epileptic activity while negatively impacting memory, suggesting a potential new therapeutic approach for epilepsy.

UCL researchers have found that slow brain waves commonly seen during sleep occur in epilepsy patients while they are awake, preventing seizures but affecting memory, suggesting a new potential treatment for epilepsy. are doing.
A new study led by researchers at University College London (UCL) has found that slow waves, which normally occur only in the brain during sleep, also occur when epilepsy patients are awake, and show that slow waves, which are associated with epilepsy symptoms, can also occur in the brain during sleep. It was found that there is a possibility of preventing increased excitement.

Methodology and findings

The study was published today (November 30) in the journal nature communications The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) UCLH Biomedical Research Center also took part in conducting electroencephalogram (EEG) scans from electrodes in the brains of 25 patients with focal epilepsy (a type of epilepsy characterized by seizures originating from specific parts of the brain). was inspected. brain), they performed an associative memory task.
Electrodes were placed in the patient’s brain to localize abnormal activity and inform surgical treatment.
During the task, participants were presented with 27 pairs of images that remained on the screen for 6 seconds. The images are divided into nine groups of three, and each group contains photos of people, places, and objects. In each case, participants had to remember which images were grouped together. EEG data were recorded continuously throughout the task.
After reviewing EEG data, the researchers found that the brains of people with epilepsy produce slow waves lasting less than a second while they are awake and participating in tasks.
The occurrence of these “awakening” slow waves increased in response to increased brain excitability, reducing the influence of epileptic spikes on brain activity.
In particular, it reduces the “firing” of nerve cells, which the researchers say can prevent epileptic activity.

Implications and future research

Lead author Professor Matthew Walker (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) said: “Sleep is crucial for repairing, maintaining, and resetting brain activity. When we are awake, our brains gradually become more excitable, which recovers during sleep.
“Recent research has shown that a specific form of brain activity, namely slow waves during sleep, plays an important role in these restorative functions. We believe that these ‘sleep’ slow waves , we wanted to consider whether this could occur during wakefulness in response to the abnormal increase in brain activity associated with epilepsy.
“This study reveals for the first time ‘arousal’ slow waves, a potential protective mechanism used by the brain to counter epileptic activity. This mechanism takes advantage of brain defense activity that normally occurs during sleep, but can also occur during wakefulness in epileptic patients. ”
As part of the study, the team also wanted to test whether the occurrence of “awake” slow waves had a negative impact on cognitive function.
Researchers found that during memory tasks, “awake” slow waves reduced neuronal activity, thus affecting cognitive performance and increasing the time patients needed to complete the task.
The researchers reported that for every additional slow wave per second, reaction time increased by 0.56 seconds.
Professor Walker said: “This observation suggests that the cognitive impairments experienced by epilepsy patients, particularly memory impairments, may be due in part to short-term impairments caused by these slow waves. “
The research team hopes that future studies will increase such activity as a potential new treatment for epilepsy patients.
Lead author Dr Laurent Sheibany (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) said:
“Our study suggests that naturally occurring activity is utilized by the brain to offset pathological activity. However, slow waves of ‘wake’ may have no effect on memory performance. This comes at a cost because we know we give.
“From a purely neurobiological perspective, this study also supports the idea that sleep activity does not occur uniformly throughout the brain, but may occur in specific regions of the brain.”
Reference: “Awakening slow waves in focal human epilepsy affect network activity and cognition” November 29, 2023 nature communications.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42971-3
This research was funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome, UCLH Biomedical Research Center and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Source: scitechdaily.com