Description: While there are many known functions of sleep, scientists now believe that another function that occurs during the sleep cycles is the cleaning out and clearing the brain of toxins that have built up throughout the waking day. The scientists call this the “glymphatic system” in that it involves the glial cells of the brain and works similar to the lymphatic system. The article will interest even those who are not physiologically oriented in that it discusses sleep issues and how these impact daily living. The researchers look to applying this new discovery to developing new sleep therapies.
Source: New York Times
Date: January 11, 2014
LINKS TO RESOURCES
(shortened URL) http://tinyurl.com/lqy938g
Original Publication
Xie et al, (2013), Sleep Drives Metabolite Clearance from the Adult Brain
Science 18 October 2013, Vol. 342 no. 6156, pp. 373-377
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•What are the functions of Sleep? (in general)
•According to the article, what else is happening in the brain during sleep?
•How do the activities of daily living impact our sleep?
•What are the consequences (short and long term) of sleep deprivation?
•Based upon this new research, what types of therapies might be developed?
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