Researchers Reverse Cognitive Impairment Caused By Sleep Deprivation

[mad30]

A research collaboration led by biologists and neuroscientists at the University of Pennsylvania has found a molecular pathway in the brain that is the cause of cognitive impairment due to sleep deprivation. Just as important, the team believes that the cognitive deficits caused by sleep deprivation, such as an inability to focus, learn or memorize, may be reversible by reducing the concentration of a specific enzyme that builds up in the hippocampus of the brain.

Comments

[gramina]

. . . have they considered sleep as a way to reverse the negative effects of sleep deprivation?

Or, of course, I'm (understandably, due to a history of chronic sleep deprivation) confused, and sleep dep causes permanent harm, rather than the transitory harm I'm conscious of.

Or I guess the third option here is that this is an attempt to come up with a sleep pill :) Which, you know, might be useful but would almost certainly instantly be abused.

[mad30]

Haha, sleeping seems like the obvious answer! Can't sleep? Then go to sleep! I guess you take your worst case of insomnia and restlessness, some people might experience that 10 times worse, for weeks at a time with no relief. Sleeping pills can be dangerous if you're on a binge of uppers and downers. It would be nice if there was a natural "refresh pill" that acted like 8 full hours of sleep and could replenish your body and senses with no ill side-effects. It's gotta be a matter of chemical/mineral balances which can stimulate the sense of restful sleep.