Finish Your Sleep, Else Your Brain Starts 'Eating Itself': Study

Health experts across globe are tirelessly reiterating the importance of an eight hour sleep daily. But busy lifestyle coupled with other factors is taking a toll on total sleeping time of people. Sleep deprivation has become one of the most pressing concerns,of the current generation. But did you know, not completing your required dose of slumber may result in much more graver consequences than you ever thought.

Sleep-deprivation is a long term condition of not having enough sleep, is either acute or chronic and can further lead to various health hazards. Health issues may include high-stress levels, decreased metabolism, heart and kidney issues and a lack of general well-being. A new study, conducted by Michele Bellesi of the Marche Polytechnic University in Italy, adds to the list of harmful effects of sleep deprivation claiming that it can actually cause the brain to ‘eat itself’. Yes, you read that right! Sleep deprivation may cause a lot more problems than you think. Read on to know more about this new study.

The experiments were carried out in a mice model and researchers analysed the brains of mice that had regular sleep, spontaneous wake, sleep deprivation
and chronic sleep deprivation. With the help of block-face scanning software, scientists were able to measure the synapses and cell processes in the mouse's frontal cortex. They specifically looked at certain cells called astrocytes cells and found that the sleep-deprived mice showed more activity with these cells.