Sleep for Rest and to Protect your Brain

Sleep is certainly important when it comes to re-energizing our personal batteries. But did you know how necessary it is for the brain? 

According to a recent study from Uppsala University, Sweden, researchers showed how one night of sleep deprivation can increase morning blood concentrations of NSE and S-100B in healthy young men. These are molecules typically found in the brain that can create sleep loss with an increase in blood that may produce a loss of brain tissue over time.

For their study, researchers examined fifteen normal-weight men. In one condition, they were sleep-deprived for one night, while in the other condition, they slept for approximately 8 hours.

"We observed that a night of total sleep loss was followed by increased blood concentrations of NSE and S-100B. These brain molecules typically rise in blood under conditions of brain damage. Thus, our results indicate that a lack of sleep may promote neurodegenerative processes", said sleep researcher Christian Benedict at the Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, who lead the study, via a press release.

"In conclusion, the findings of our trial indicate that a good night's sleep may be critical for maintaining brain health", Benedict added, via the release.

 More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Sleep.