Posted 10.26.2007 at 5:43 pm
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The immune system. Metabolism. Learning and memory. Running short on sleep impairs each of these functions and processes, and now scientists say that it can affect our emotional balance, too.
A group led by Berkeley neuroscientist Matthew Walker used fMRI scans of subjects to show that a lack of sleep messes with the brain's ability to respond to negative stimuli. The researchers kept the volunteers awake for 35 hours, showed them images that would provoke positive or negative reactions, and recorded the response in brain activity. Regions of the brain associated with emotional reactions spiked in sleep-deprived subjects, relative to the well-rested. A word to fathers with newborns: Don't show this paper to your wife. She won't appreciate it.—Gregory Mone
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Parents have known about this for years. Why else would they tell their kids to go take a nap?
Steve, you are totally correct. This is common knowledge to all parents. Any parent does not need a MRI to tell them that their kid is cranky because of lack of sleep. Plus, I seem to get better grades when I sleep well.
Been there and done that! How is that researchers are just now figuring this out? What is the point? Get more sleep! American's are masters at the short night and grumpy, coffee driven day...