Latest

Sleep

·November 8, 2023·2 min read

Childhood Slumber Shadows: Genetics Link to Sleep Quality

New research reveals that genetic variants influencing sleep patterns in adults also affect children's sleep quality and duration. Analyzing data from 2,458 children, the study found that those with a genetic predisposition for insomnia experienced more sleep disturbances, while those inclined towards longer sleep faced frequent night awakenings.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·November 6, 2023·5 min read

AI Links Sleep and Gut Health to Autism Behaviors

Researchers utilized AI to uncover a link between sleep and gastrointestinal health, and the challenging behaviors in individuals with profound autism, such as self-injury and aggression. The study, which offers new insights into predicting these behaviors, found that for 20% of the subjects, GI issues could forecast next-day behavioral challenges with over 80% accuracy.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 2, 2023·7 min read

Sleepless Nights: The Brain’s Surprising Reaction to All-Nighters

unveiled the science behind the buoyant mood many feel after acute sleep deprivation, like pulling an all-nighter. The study in mice showed that not only does dopamine release rise during these short periods without sleep, but the brain also rewires itself, enhancing synaptic plasticity for several days.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 30, 2023·5 min read

Less Deep Sleep in Seniors May Be A Silent Alarm for Dementia Risk

A mere 1% reduction in deep sleep yearly for those above 60 translates to a 27% higher dementia risk. Monitoring 346 participants over 60 from the Framingham Heart Study, the research observed declining deep sleep patterns and found 52 dementia cases in 17 years.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·October 25, 2023·3 min read

How Sleep Loss Amplifies Pain

Researchers discovered how sleep deprivation can exacerbate pain. Their study demonstrates that a neurotransmitter, N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA), decreases in a brain region called the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) due to sleep loss.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 20, 2023·5 min read

Linking Sleep Deficits to Depression

Researchers find a connection between consistently sleeping less than five hours nightly and an increased risk of developing depressive symptoms. Initially believed that poor sleep was a mere side effect of mental illness, the study suggests sleep might precede the onset of depression.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 18, 2023·2 min read

Hit Snooze: More Sleep Could Boost Morning Alertness

There may be perks to hitting the snooze button. Among 1,732 adults, 69% reported snoozing, with an average snooze time of 22 minutes. Younger participants and evening types were more prone to snoozing. A smaller study found that 30 minutes of snoozing could enhance or not affect cognitive performance upon waking.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 16, 2023·6 min read

Dreams Across Cultures: How Societies Shape Our Dreamscapes

Researchers conducted a study analyzing dreams of individuals across different cultures. By comparing dreams of forager communities in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo with Western dreams, they found the former often depicted more threatening yet socially-supportive scenarios.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 12, 2023·6 min read

Facial Cues Reveal How We Respond to Verbal Stimuli During Sleep

Researchers unearthed startling insights into the permeable boundary between wakefulness and sleep, demonstrating that individuals can respond to verbal stimuli by manipulating facial expressions during various sleep stages. This interaction occurs like fleeting windows of connection to the external world, even during periods of sleep traditionally considered devoid of external awareness.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 2, 2023·6 min read

Sleep Struggles Link to Elevated Risk of Hypertension

Researchers have found a notable link between insomnia symptoms and hypertension in women. Drawing from a 16-year study involving over 66,000 participants, the study showed women with sleep difficulties were more prone to high blood pressure.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 22, 2023·4 min read

Brain’s Blue Spot, Locus Coeruleus, Is A Key Player in Sleep Quality and Memory

Researchers have shed light on the vital role of the locus coeruleus in regulating REM sleep and its effects on cognitive processes. Located deep in the brain, this nucleus manages noradrenaline, influencing memory, emotions, and sleep initiation.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 21, 2023·5 min read

The Brain Wiring for Sleep Prep

Researchers have discovered how mice's brains are wired to instinctively prepare for sleep by nesting, highlighting a survival feature likely shared among mammals. When mice were deprived of sleep, a robust urge to nest emerged, which is controlled by dedicated brain cells in the prefrontal cortex.