Sleep deprivation alters connections in the brain, mouse study finds

https://www.science.org/content/article/sleep-deprivation-alters-connections-brain-mouse-study-finds

By Catherine Offordhttps://www.science.org/content/author/catherine-offord

Lack of sleep messes with our brains, making learning harder and memory worse. A new mouse study in Current Biology shows that sleep deprivation changes brain cell connections, particularly in areas linked to learning and memory. Researchers found that just a few hours without sleep reduced the variety of synapse types, essential for storing information. This drop was notable in the cortex and hippocampus, areas crucial for cognitive function. Although the total number of synapses stayed the same, the diversity shifted, potentially explaining why we feel so off after a sleepless night. The study offers a fresh look at how sleep helps keep our brains sharp.