Sleepy....?

Light, dreamless sleep has always been undervalued by scientists until now. UC Berkley scientists have recently discovered that brainwaves known as “sleep spindles” that occur during periods of light sleep (non-REM sleep) are closely associated with our learning capabilities. These “sleep spindles,” or fast electrical pulses, shift “fact-based memories from the hippocampus- which has limited storage space- to the prefrontal cortex.” This allows the hippocampus to take in more data.  Brainwaves are made up of cells called neurons that transmit electrical pulses throughout the brain. Neurons are made up of many cells with large numbers of extensions called dendrites and the axon. Light sleep, during which these neurons fire sleep spindles, takes up half of a night’s sleep, occurring mostly during the second half of the night. It serves as important “learning refreshment” for the brain. Therefore if a person does not sleep long enough, they will not reach the latter part of sleep in which these spindles occur. This can ultimately hinder learning capabilities.
To test these new findings, scientists took a sample group of 44 people. After memorizing lists of facts that would be stored in the hippocampus of their brains, half the group was allowed to take a nap, while the other half stayed awake. They were then subjected to another round of fact memorization. The group that napped performed better and were even said to have improved their capability for learning. Since they were monitored while they slept, it was also shown that the people that produced more spindles could memorize more easily. The study illustrates that sleep is necessary before and after learning, and questions whether early morning school days are the most advantageous idea.  I find this study relates directly to college students, since the majority of students do not get enough sleep. Learning therefore may be more challenging for those who sleep lesser amounts on a regular basis.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110308124748.htm
By: Haley Grimm