Ashwin Lewis
Scientists have discovered that sleep is vital to our health, and prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to severe health problems in humans and other animals. In early life, sleep helps to build the brain's infrastructure, but after two-and-a-half years, its primary purpose switches to brain maintenance and repair. This research was conducted by a UCLA-led team of scientists, who examined data on sleep throughout development, including total sleep time, REM sleep time, brain size and body size.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary purpose of sleep | Brain-building in early life, then brain maintenance and repair |
| Sleep deprivation | Can lead to severe health problems in humans and other animals |
| Brain repair | Occurs during sleep |
| Sleep changes | Sleep changes with brain and body size |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep helps build the brain's infrastructure in early life
Senior study author Gina Poe, a UCLA professor of integrative biology and physiology who has conducted sleep research for more than 30 years, said: "Don't wake babies up during REM sleep – important work is being done in their brains as they sleep".
After this period, sleep's primary purpose switches from brain-building to brain maintenance and repair, a role it maintains for the rest of our lives. Nearly all of this brain repair occurs during sleep, according to senior author Van Savage, a UCLA professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and of computational medicine.
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Sleep deprivation can lead to severe health problems
Prolonged sleep deprivation can have serious consequences for humans and other animals. Sleep is necessary for brain maintenance and repair, and without it, the brain cannot function optimally. Sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive impairment, including problems with memory, attention, and decision-making. It can also contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Additionally, sleep deprivation can have physical health consequences. It can disrupt the body's natural balance of hormones, leading to weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to a weakened immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off illness and infection.
The effects of sleep deprivation can be cumulative, meaning that the longer an individual goes without adequate sleep, the more severe the health consequences can become. It is therefore important to prioritize sleep and seek help if experiencing difficulties sleeping.
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Sleep helps the brain transition from building to maintenance and repair
Sleep is essential for our health, and a UCLA-led team of scientists has discovered why. In early life, sleep helps build the brain's infrastructure, but after 2-and-a-half years, its primary purpose switches from brain-building to brain maintenance and repair. This transition is comparable to water freezing to ice, according to senior author Van Savage, a UCLA professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and of computational medicine.
During REM sleep, when vivid dreams occur, the young brain is busy building and strengthening synapses, the structures that connect neurons and enable them to communicate. However, after this critical period of brain development, sleep takes on a new role, focusing on maintaining and repairing the brain. This maintenance and repair work is vital, as prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to severe health problems in humans and other animals.
The UCLA-led research team conducted a comprehensive statistical analysis of sleep, examining data on total sleep time, REM sleep time, brain size, and body size. They found that the purpose of sleep changes dramatically around the age of 2-and-a-half, coinciding with a decrease in the rate of brain growth. This discovery highlights the importance of sleep in supporting the brain's transition from building to maintenance and repair.
While the exact mechanisms remain to be fully understood, the research provides valuable insights into the role of sleep in brain development and function. It underscores the significance of adequate sleep across all life stages, from early childhood to adulthood, for optimal brain health and overall well-being. By understanding the changing purposes of sleep, we can better appreciate the essential role it plays in our lives and the potential consequences of sleep deprivation.
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Sleep helps the brain declutter
Senior study author Gina Poe, a UCLA professor of integrative biology and physiology who has conducted sleep research for more than 30 years, said: "Don't wake babies up during REM sleep – important work is being done in their brains as they sleep."
After two-and-a-half years, sleep's primary purpose switches from brain-building to brain maintenance and repair, a role it maintains for the rest of our lives. Nearly all of this brain repair occurs during sleep, according to senior author Van Savage, a UCLA professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and of computational medicine, and his colleagues.
The research team, which included scientists with expertise in neuroscience, biology, mathematics and statistics, conducted the most comprehensive statistical analysis of sleep to date, using data from more than 60 sleep studies involving humans and other mammals. They examined data on sleep throughout development – including total sleep time, REM sleep time, brain size and body size – and built and tested a mathematical model to explain how sleep changes with brain and body size.
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Sleep is when the brain repairs itself
In early life, sleep helps to build the brain's infrastructure, but after about two-and-a-half years, its primary purpose switches to brain maintenance and repair. This role is maintained for the rest of our lives. During REM sleep, when vivid dreams occur, the brain is busy building and strengthening synapses, the structures that connect neurons and allow them to communicate.
Nearly all of this brain repair occurs during sleep, according to UCLA professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and of computational medicine, Van Savage. He said: "I was shocked by how huge a change this is over a short period of time, and that this switch occurs when we're so young. It's a transition that is analogous to when water freezes to ice."
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Frequently asked questions
Scientists have a few theories about why we need sleep, but they don't know for sure.
Some researchers believe that sleep allows our bodies and brains to recover. One theory is that sleep is when the brain resets its operating system to reach 'criticality', a state that optimises thinking and processing. Another theory is that sleep is when the brain is cleared of waste.
Researchers have studied sleep by tracking the brain activity of sleeping rats. They have also studied the effects of sleep deprivation on rats.
Sleep is a fundamental need, just like food or water. If we don't get enough sleep, we can become sleep-deprived, which can have negative effects on our health and well-being.
Sleep helps us live according to the 24-hour day-night cycle, which is called our circadian rhythm. Getting enough sleep allows us to be alert and function properly during the day.
