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Scientists Study Mice to Learn about Sleep

Studying the nerve connections in sleeping mice, scientists concluded that synapses shrink during sleep. This promotes learning when mice are awake.

Sleep is crucial for healthy brain function. Scientists reached that conclusion from a four-year study of mice. Their research delved deep into the physiology of neuronal connections.

What Did the Study Find?

The scientists scanned nearly 7,000 synapses in two distinct areas of mouse brains. Some of the mice were allowed normal sleep cycles, while others were sleep-deprived. The scientists who analyzed the 3-D electron microscopic images did not know which mice got restful sleep and which were kept awake.

By the end of the experiment, the scientists concluded that sleep led to synaptic shrinkage of about 18 percent. The scientists determined that nerve cells grow and expand during wakefulness. When animals sleep, the synapses become smaller. Weak connections are especially prone to this naptime shrinkage. This cycling effect appears to encourage normal neuronal growth and recalibration and enhance learning. This huge undertaking reinforces why sleep is so important for optimal brain function.

Science, Feb. 2, 2017

You might be more interested in learning how you can get the shut-eye you need. We offer our newly revised online resource, Getting a Good Night’s Sleep, with information on the pros and cons of sleeping pills as well as natural approaches to falling asleep. When you purchase this new Guide, you will be sent a personalized link in your email that will allow you to consult the Guide as often as you wish. No pdf will be sent.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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