Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

Nandita Singh Ph.D.

We spend one third of our lives sleeping. “If sleep doesn’t serve an absolutely vital function, then it is the greatest mistake the evolutionary process ever made” – Professor Emeritus Dr. Allan Rechtschaffen, University of Chicago. As a parent I instinctively make sure that my children get enough hours of sleep, but then stay up late working. Turns out I am not doing myself any favors.

Scientists presenting their research at the Society for Neuroscience (SFN) 2012 annual meeting in New Orleans report that even a 20% daily sleep deficit is sufficient for loss in cognitive function, impairs memory and alters the normal behavior of brain cells. According to Ted Abel, University of Pennsylvania, loss of only 20% of daily sleep deprivation impairs spatial memory consolidation. Furthermore, according to Gina Poe, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, adequate sleep is critical for strengthening incompletely learned memories and integrating the old and new information into a coherent memory. Sleep is necessary for strengthening the synapses for the formation of memories as well as weakening the synapses for “inconsequential” memories, e.g. where you parked your car.

According to Dr. Giulio Tononi, University of Wisconsin, Madison, “Sleep synaptic strength is globally renormalized to a basal level that is energetically sustainable and beneficial for memory and performance. Sleep is the price we pay for plasticity.” He also states that if we are sleep restricted, small parts of our brain may fall asleep even though we think we are completely awake. As a consequence we may make mistakes.

Clearly there are consequences as we continue to burn the midnight oil and surely I should sleep as I have an early morning flight to catch to go back home. Make sure to check out JoVE at booth 143 tomorrow and tell us about your research.