Maiken Nedergaard, M.D., D.M.Sc., a neurologist at the University of Rochester, has just published a study on a new understanding of the importance of sleep for brain functioning. She has learned that during sleep, the amount of space in between brain cells increases by 60% allowing for spinal fluid to more easily pass between these cells and wash away toxins accumulated during awake time. One of the waste products of the brain is the protein amyloid-beta, which accumulates and forms plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis had previously shown that levels of amyloid-beta in mice brains dropped during sleep because of a decrease in production of the protein.
Sleep has long been known to be associated with mental health in aspects of mood stability, memory and concentration. This study further highlights the importance of sleep in that it benefits both mental and physical health and lessons the chances of development of brain disorder as we age. Sleep disorders are common with mental health problems and many can be reduced by getting the correct amount of sleep and having problems with sleep correctly diagnosed via a sleep study.
For the full article, click here: www.sciencemag.org
For the full article, click here: www.sciencemag.org
