Study: Lack of sleep may change the structure of the brain

OSLO. Teens. Students in classroom.Photo: Berit Roald / NTB scanpix

New research suggest that sleep deprivation causes changes in the brain after only one night without sleep.

We already know that sleep deprivation impairs brain functions, but our findings indicate that the brain structure may change,  postdoc and doctor Torbjørn Elvsåshagen at the Norwegian Centre for research on mental disorders and neurological department at Oslo University says.
According to a press release from the Norwegian Medical Association, he will present the results of his research under neuro Days in Oslo next week.
– It seems like the brain changes a little bit  during each day, like when we are solving tasks and learning something new. Perhaps  sleeping “resets” our brains to a certain extent and makes us ready for the challenges of a new day,  Elvsåshagen says.
There is still much research to be done in this area, but one thing is certain:
– Without enough sleep the brain function is impaired, and this can have major consequences for how we work when we are awake,  Elvsåshagen says.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today