Almost all have spent some night without sleep – sometimes intentionally – and sleep disorders are very prevalent worldwide, especially in older people. In Spain, between 20% and 48% of the adult population has difficulties in reconciling or maintaining sleep, according to the Spanish Neurology Society (SEN). In addition, almost all adolescents and adults have experienced short -term sleep deprivation at some point.
But not all conditions that influence our rest have the same impact on the brain, since a team of Jülich researchers has made a meta -analysis that has shown that The brain regions involved in short and long -term sleep alterations differ significantly. The study results have been published in the magazine Jama psychiatristy.
“The lack of sleep is one of the most important risk factors, although modifiable, for mental illnesses in adolescents and older people,” said Dr. Masoud Tahmasian, Jülich researcher and private professor, who has coordinated the study. On the contrary, long -term sleep pathological disorders, such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy and short -term sleep deprivation, are located in different parts of the brain.
Gerion Reimann, one of the main authors of the study affirms: “The symptoms of lack of sleep are similar during the day. Anyone who has slept badly or has not slept enough will know that he often feels a bit moody or unable to perform the tasks well due to a significant decrease in attention and reaction time.”
More specific therapies and preventive measures for lack of sleep
Repeated deprivation of sleep can have much more serious consequences. Studies show that frequent sleep deprivation has an adverse effect on brain development, reduces the elimination of harmful substances, decreases emotional stability and causes considerable deterioration of working memory, as well as academic or work performance. “Chronic sleep disorders and continuous lack of sleep are also risk factors for various mental illnesses,” says Reimann.
Jülich researchers analyzed data from 231 brain studies. The studies examined and compared several groups: for example, patients with chronic sleep disorders with healthy individuals, or healthy test subjects and well rested with people with sleep deprivation. The results show clear neuronal differences between the groups.
People with chronic sleep disorders showed changes in a region of the brain known as anterior cingulated cortexas well as in the right tonsil and in the hippocampus, one of the brain centers. These regions participate, for example, in the processing of emotions, memories, decisions and sensations.
Short -term sleep deprivation was associated with changes in the right thalamus, a brain region responsible for the regulation of temperature, movement and perception of pain
Reimann explains: “These anomalies reflect common symptoms that occur during the day with various sleep disorders, such as exhaustion, memory problems, humor changes and even depression. It remains to be seen if changes in the brain are the cause or a consequence of chronic sleep disorders. “
On the other hand, short -term sleep deprivation was associated with Changes in the right thalamusa brain region responsible for the regulation of temperature, movement and perception of pain. “This corresponds to the symptoms of short -term sleep deprivation,” says Reimann. “It is less attentive, the actions are restricted and, often, one is more ease.”
“Thus, we were able to demonstrate for the first time that there is no superposition of brain regions between the two groups,” says Reimann. “This is important for future studies. Now we can focus on the precise and functional regions and networks that are representative of the respective sleep disorder,” he emphasizes.
“Previously, individual sleep disorders were considered separate.
The new findings could also pave the way to design more specific therapies and preventive measures. “Many patients suffering from insomnia – or chronic sleep disorders in general – also have a greater risk of depression, anxiety and other mental disorders, as well as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia“Reimann explained.
“Now that we know what regions of the brain are involved, we can investigate in more detail the effects of non-pharmacological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or continuous positive pressure therapy in the respiratory tract (CPAP), compared to pharmacological treatments for various sleep disorders,” he concludes.
Source: www.webconsultas.com