How Kids' Brains Respond to a Late Night Up
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161128130826.htm
Sleep is important for people of all ages. A lack of sleep can have several consequences. However, a new research study done in this article shows that a lack of sleep affects children differently than it does adults. As you may know from personal experience, sleep deprivation in adults normally causes irritability, weight gain, memory deficits, as well as decreases in immune system functioning. Additionally, findings from this article suggest that sleep deprivation affects certain regions of the brain. While adults tend to be affected in the frontal region of the brain, children experience the sleep loss effect more in the posterior regions of the brain such as the parieto-occipital areas (Frontiers, 2016). Because children' brains are going through a rapid development period, myelin production is extremely important and may be affected if children to not get the amount of sleep that they need.
I found this article interesting because, as college students, we don't allow ourselves nearly as much sleep as we should be getting. Although this article focuses on the affects on children, it is still important for our brain development. As we have learned in this class, REM sleep is essential for both physical and mental health.
Sleep is important for people of all ages. A lack of sleep can have several consequences. However, a new research study done in this article shows that a lack of sleep affects children differently than it does adults. As you may know from personal experience, sleep deprivation in adults normally causes irritability, weight gain, memory deficits, as well as decreases in immune system functioning. Additionally, findings from this article suggest that sleep deprivation affects certain regions of the brain. While adults tend to be affected in the frontal region of the brain, children experience the sleep loss effect more in the posterior regions of the brain such as the parieto-occipital areas (Frontiers, 2016). Because children' brains are going through a rapid development period, myelin production is extremely important and may be affected if children to not get the amount of sleep that they need.
I found this article interesting because, as college students, we don't allow ourselves nearly as much sleep as we should be getting. Although this article focuses on the affects on children, it is still important for our brain development. As we have learned in this class, REM sleep is essential for both physical and mental health.
Interesting study! I wonder how the change in myelin production can actually affect children (loss of brain volume, learning difficulties, inattention, for example). Do you think that since children are affected in the parieto-occipital areas of their brains, would they be more susceptible to some sort of vision problems as well?
ReplyDeleteI found myself wondering the same thing when I read that it affects the parieto-occipital area of the brain! I assume this would have some sort of impact on their vision, but I am not sure. The article did say, however, that "further exploration is needed before drawing any conclusions about how insufficient sleep affects early brain developmental processes in the longer term" (Frontiers, 2016).
DeleteThis was a very interesting post. In addition to wondering how myelin production can impact children I also wonder if a disturbance in production can increase their chances of developing illnesses/diseases related to the myelin, such as multiple sclerosis, MS. If so further research into this may also prompt research about MS and bring about new discoveries as to its causes and hopefully treatment as well.
DeleteThanh Duong
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting post, cause sleep is an important role in our development in the brain and our bodies and adults have a different effects from lack of sleep while children would have other effects as well. As we know that when we age we required less sleep (adults 7-8 hours & younger about 9-10 hours). It is interesting that the lack of sleep in younger kids would affect them differently. I wonder how myelin production could impact the child and if there is less production of myelin, would it cause for different illnesses and diseases begin to develop (ex. Multiple Sclerosis). I hope there will be further research that would help us understand the impact of less sleep on younger children and possible decreasing myelin production and other treatments towards illnesses and diseases (ex. Multiple Sclerosis). Great article, thank you.
Im glad that you posted this article. When I expressed that I'm tired, especially to older people, they normally respond by saying "you're young! You'll be fine" Sleep is essential to everyone. I definitely have to work on my sleeping patterns and habits
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is interesting how college students for example don't take lack of sleep as seriously as some should and it is interesting how we take less care of ourselves as we get older. I also find this article interesting because I always wonder when an appropriate bedtime for a kid is and how to make sure children are getting the proper amount of sleep because not all kids sleep perfectly through the night.
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