Good Night Sleep Can Make Brain More Alert, Says Study

As per a new study that was published in the Journal Cell Reports, a team of scientists have found out that with a good night sleep not only the levels of energy are kept up but even the brain becomes more alert. Sleep puts us in the right mind of focusing, learning new things and remembering information.

Proper sleep helps in boosting memory as brain activity and sorts several experiences that are encountered every day, after which only important information is retained in memory pockets.  The research team involves Eli Lilly & Co, EPSRC, MRC and Bristol University’s Center For Synaptic Plasticity Within School of Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Physiology.

The research team involves Eli Lilly & Co, EPSRC, MRC and Bristol University’s Center For Synaptic Plasticity Within School of Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Physiology.

The study showed that brain activity patterns occurring during the day are replayed in a fast-forward speed while sleeping. With this, the microscopic connections between active nerve cells are strengthened. This process is considered to be quite critical for the consolidation of memories.

This activity of things getting replayed happens in hippocampus, a part of the brain which is the central filling system for the memories. The findings are mainly about fundamental processes occurring in the brain during consolidating memories during sleep, says Jack Mellor, the lead researcher from the Bristol University.

With the new discoveries, further evidence of benefits of good night’s sleep is provided. There is an association of sleep deprivation or troubled sleep with chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Schizophrenia that further leads to impaired mental functions.

Mellor stated that successful replay of brain activity while sleeping depends on the person’s emotional state while learning. It has major implications on how a person is taught and learns effectively.

The benefits of good sleep for retention of memory have been proved by other studies as well.