Scientists have explained the effect of sleep quality on brain activity

A new study by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sheds light on how lack of sleep affects the brain. When a person does not get enough rest, the brain begins to compensate for the lost sleep. This was reported on January 20 by Science Daily magazine.

According to the study, the brain uses brain fluid (CSF) to cleanse itself of accumulated waste. However, when a person is awake, the brain tries to compensate for the missing sleep by activating these processes during wakefulness.

As a result, brain fluid exits the brain, which disrupts the normal functioning of attention. This causes a slower reaction time, impaired ability to concentrate, and reduced cognitive flexibility. Studies have shown that when attention wanes, brain fluid leaves the brain, and when it recovers, it returns.

For such a study, experts conducted an experiment in which each participant wore an electroencephalographic (EEG) cap to monitor brain activity while inside a functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) machine. The participants also completed two attention tests — auditory and visual.

The results showed that sleep-deprived participants performed significantly worse than those who had a good night's sleep. Scientists have recorded a slow reaction in them, and in some cases, patients did not even notice the signal.

"The results show that at the moment when attention wanes, this fluid is actually drained away from the brain. And when attention is restored, it gets involved again," said the associate professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Atinuly A. Martinos, member of the Institute of Medical Engineering and Science and the Research Laboratory of Electronics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as associate member of the Pickover Institute for the Study of Learning and Memory Laura Lewis.

Lack of sleep has a significant impact on human physiological and cognitive processes. During the study, scientists noticed that decreased attention, slower breathing, and pupil constriction occur simultaneously with changes in the movement of brain fluid. This indicates the presence of a unified system that regulates both attention and basic physiological functions such as blood circulation and oxygen levels. Such processes create certain signals for the body to adapt to stress caused by lack of sleep.

Understanding these mechanisms, in turn, allows scientists to study how sleep deficiency affects the brain, and will help develop methods to improve health and protect against cognitive impairment.

Clinical psychologist Lidia Inshina gave advice on combating insomnia on January 12. According to her, this condition is often associated with the brain's attempt to maintain control, especially during anxiety or traumatic experiences. If you are unable to sleep, the specialist recommended that you first determine the cause, do not panic in case of disturbing thoughts and lie quietly with your eyes closed.

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