FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 24, 2019·5 min readSettling the debate on serotonin’s role in sleepSerotonin produced by the raphe is critical for sleep in both mice and zebrafish. The firing of neurons in the raphe and the release of serotonin may help the brain build up better sleep pressure. The results may explain why some sleep-related side effects of antidepressants increase serotonin in the brain.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 20, 2019·5 min readHow to train your brain to have lucid dreamsA sleep researcher shares the secrets for training your brain to experience lucid dreams.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 17, 2019·3 min readSleep history predicts late-life Alzheimer’s pathologyYour sleep history during middle age may predict Alzheimer's pathology later in life. A decrease in sleep quality between 50 and 70 years of age is associated with higher levels of tau and amyloid beta in the brain. Changes in brain activity and quality of sleep could be a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 11, 2019·5 min readSleeping with artificial light at night associated with weight gain in womenExposure to artificial light while sleeping is associated with weight gain and an increased risk of obesity in women. Compared to those who slept without artificial light, those who slept with television or light on were 17% more likely to have an 11 pound or more increase in weight.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 10, 2019·4 min readNight owls can ‘retrain’ their body clocks to improve mental well-being and performanceSimple lifestyle alterations can help reset the circadian clock, leading to improved mental and physical health for those who have trouble getting to sleep at night.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 9, 2019·2 min readStudy links poor sleep with poor nutritionA retrospective analysis finds a correlation between sleep disorders and a lack of essential vitamins and minerals.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 7, 2019·3 min readHigh levels of rare gut bacteria may be linked to restless legs syndromeFindings from a small sample study link small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) to restless leg syndrome.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·June 5, 2019·4 min readStudy links irregular sleep patterns to metabolic disordersIrregular sleep patterns have been linked to an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·June 5, 2019·3 min readSleeping for too little or too long linked to poorer memorySleep duration can have a negative impact on memory skills and reaction time. While the effects of sleep deprivation are well documented, researchers report sleeping for longer than the recommended 7 to 8 hours per night is associated with more errors in memory recall and slower reaction times, with each additional hour of sleep impacting performance more.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePain·June 4, 2019·5 min readOpioids are not sleep aids, and can actually worsen sleep research findsOpioids are often prescribed to help those with chronic pain manage sleep problems associated with their condition. New research reports opioids effect on sleep quality is limited and of poor quality. Additionally, opioids can increase the risk of sleep apnea.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·June 2, 2019·5 min readChildren who nap midday are happier, excel academically, and have fewer behavioral problemsChildren aged 10 to 12 have greater happiness, self-control, fewer behavioral problems, increased cognitive performance and academic achievement when they take a brief midday nap, a new study reports.Read More
AutismFeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 31, 2019·5 min readClassification system based on co-occurring conditions may provide insight into autismGastrointestinal and immune disorders, along with sleep disruptions and seizures often co-occur at similar points of time in those diagnosed under the autism spectrum. Analyzing patterns in diagnosis of co-occurring medical conditions allowed for the identification of three subtypes of children with ASD. The findings could provide new insight into the mechanics of ASD.Read More