Sleep helps increase the number of brain cells

Scientists claim to have discovered one more reason we need to sleep: sleep helps replenish a type of brain cell.

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Exactly why humans need to sleep is a question that has puzzled scientists for centuries. Obviously, we need to sleep to feel rested and to help our minds stay alert. However, the biological processes that continue while we are sleeping are just beginning to be discovered recently.

According to the Journal of Neuroscience, Dr. Chiara Cirelli and colleagues from the University of Wisconsin (US) discovered that the rate of production of myelin-producing cells (adipose tissue covering nerves) - Immature oligodendrocyte - doubling when mice sleep.

According to new research, sleep helps speed up the production of cells that make myelin (fatty tissue that covers nerves) in the animal brain.(Artwork: johnsonfamilydental.com)

The increase in the production of these neurons is most evident during REM sleep (rapid eye phase, associated with dreams) and influenced by genes. In contrast, genes involved in cell death and stress reactions are triggered when the mice are awake.

Dr. Cirelli emphasized: "For a long time, sleep researchers have focused on how neurons work, how different they are when animals sleep and stay awake. Show, clearly obviously, the behavior of other supporting cells in the nervous system also varies significantly, depending on whether the animal sleeps or wakes. "

According to the team, their findings revealed, insomnia can worsen some symptoms of multiple sclerosis, a disease that damages myelin tissue. Specifically, in multiple sclerosis, the body's immune system attacks and destroys the myelin sheath of nerves in the brain and spine.

Dr. Cirelli said, future studies may be considered, whether sleep affects the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. She and her colleagues also wanted to test whether sleep deprivation, especially during adolescence, could have long-term consequences for the brain.