Health & Medicine
Sleep Loss Causes Brain Vulnerability to Toxic Elements
Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Jun 10, 2014 01:01 PM EDT
Why do we sleep? That's a good question, and scientists may have part of the answer. It turns out that sleep loss can cause certain neurotoxic molecules that usually circulate in the blood to be transported to the central nervous system and interfere with the function of neurons.
In this case, the researchers induced sleep loss in animals. Then they studied their behavior and. In fact, the researchers found that a lack of sleep caused an alteration in the central nervous system called blood-brain barrier, which is the component responsible for protecting the brain from potentially neurotoxin agents. In fact, the longer the period of insomnia, joints vessels in the blood-brain barrier began to degrade.
"The blood vessels were found not so closely united, we observed that some elements could cross that barrier and reach the brain tissue itself," said Beatriz Gomez Gonzalez, one of the researchers, in a news release.
In fact, by entering the brain, some nerve agents could potentially affect neuronal function and promote neuron death. An agent called monosodium glutamate found in a wide range of processed foods could cause neuronal damage by overactivation of these cells. In addition, some second-generation antihistamines can permeate into the brain tissue when chronic sleep loss occurs.
"Although manufacturers of antibiotic drugs or second-generation antihistamines ensure that these do not affect brain function, there is evidence that these may impact on the central nervous system when there is an increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier," said Gonzalez in a news release.
The findings reveal the importance of sleep and show how a lack of it can impact cognitive function. It's crucial to get a decent night's rest in order to be healthy for the days to come.
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First Posted: Jun 10, 2014 01:01 PM EDT
Why do we sleep? That's a good question, and scientists may have part of the answer. It turns out that sleep loss can cause certain neurotoxic molecules that usually circulate in the blood to be transported to the central nervous system and interfere with the function of neurons.
In this case, the researchers induced sleep loss in animals. Then they studied their behavior and. In fact, the researchers found that a lack of sleep caused an alteration in the central nervous system called blood-brain barrier, which is the component responsible for protecting the brain from potentially neurotoxin agents. In fact, the longer the period of insomnia, joints vessels in the blood-brain barrier began to degrade.
"The blood vessels were found not so closely united, we observed that some elements could cross that barrier and reach the brain tissue itself," said Beatriz Gomez Gonzalez, one of the researchers, in a news release.
In fact, by entering the brain, some nerve agents could potentially affect neuronal function and promote neuron death. An agent called monosodium glutamate found in a wide range of processed foods could cause neuronal damage by overactivation of these cells. In addition, some second-generation antihistamines can permeate into the brain tissue when chronic sleep loss occurs.
"Although manufacturers of antibiotic drugs or second-generation antihistamines ensure that these do not affect brain function, there is evidence that these may impact on the central nervous system when there is an increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier," said Gonzalez in a news release.
The findings reveal the importance of sleep and show how a lack of it can impact cognitive function. It's crucial to get a decent night's rest in order to be healthy for the days to come.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone