Scientists at Stanford University have recently discovered a brain circuit that is indispensable to the sleep-wake cycle. This is part of the same circuit that is a "reward system" the brain uses that is necessary for animals, including humans, to survive and reproduce. The article goes on to talk about the reward system being responsible for goal directed behaviors. Behaviors like running from predators or seeking food. How then can the sleep wake circuit be connected to such activities if you cannot perform them while sleeping.
The article continues to talk about how diseases like Insomnia have only been treated with drugs that shut down the entire brain. Recent findings of this sleep-wake circuit have lead scientist to think that there is a possibility for therapies that will target this new found circuit directly and as a result, will induce a higher quality of sleep. A chemical called dopamine plays a crucial part in stimulating this circuit. Activity in dopamine-secreting nerve cells rise upon waking and stay elevated while awake. As we transition into sleep, activity in these nerve cells decrease and stay low while we sleep.
Scientists noticed this while observing mice. One cage of mice was kept completely normal. The mice were allowed to live under normal conditions. The other cage had the mice whose sleep schedules were completely jacked up. Instead of letting them sleep when they normally would, these mice were kept up and active. The mice then started to sleep through many things that would cause the "reward system" of the brain to start up. Things like the presence of food, a female, or even fear induced by fox urine. The mice were then placed in the opposite cage. In the normal cage, the mice had built nests. Mice in the abnormal cage had no such time to build nests because they were constantly active. When mice are placed in an unfamiliar environment they typically spend time exploring energetically. While this did occur for about 45 minutes, the rest of the time was spent building nests and once the mice were satisfied with what they had built, they proceeded to fall asleep. Scientists concluded that this predatory state before bed was crucial to a deep sleep.
Mice have a sleep-starter site in the brain. The recent findings of this sleep-wake circuit has lead to the conclusion that humans have one too! We disrupt this preparation by doing things like watching TV, reading emails, or playing video games. Things that not only give off light, but also charge our emotions , then it is easy to see why most people have a hard time falling asleep.
There are plenty of drugs that counter dopamine. But perhaps if a person is given the right dose at the right time, the effects will wear off at the right time as well and would work a lot better than just knocking out the brain entirely. This could also be a solution to sleep-wake characterized disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Perhaps another solution to sleep trouble is to take advantage of the predatory time before bed. Instead of watching videos or movies or looking at social media we should be focusing on sleeping and hopefully fall into that deep sleep that everybody loves.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/09/05/brain_circuit_that_drives_sleepwake_states_sleeppreparation_behavior_is_identified.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+biologynews%2Fheadlines+%28Biology+News+Net%29
This is very unique. There have been and are many sleeping problems with my family. After reading this article, I realize that many members of my family participate in activities like searching the web, reading, or watching the television which were mentioned in the article. This could be a factor of their sleeping issues. I found this quite interesting because of the experiment with mice, and throwing mice into different environments then what they are use to. I wonder if there is more to do during the predatory time than just thinking about sleep, maybe some exercises that also encourage deep sleep.
ReplyDeleteTL
this is a very interesting article because sleep is still one of the mysteries of the brain. sleep cycle has a lot to do with our functions the next day. I've herd that animal circadian rhythm requires less sleep in a mammal than the typical human rhythm. what positive effects might the change of our natural circadian rhythm bring us?
ReplyDelete-Majhor Cheel
I was able to read this article as well, and it was very interesting. Another factor I considered that effects the sleep cycle is light from our phones and devices. Apparently, blue light awakens our brains, and looking at it before we sleep can often cause us to stay awake and alert for much longer.
ReplyDeleteM.E.
How long does that affect last with light from phones? J. RYAN
Deletei was wondering if people who used technology before bed are more prone to disorders such as sleep walking, and insomnia more then people who don't use technology ?
ReplyDeleteRG
Tanner,
ReplyDeleteI find this article interesting. One definition for the sleep-wake cycle is: The complex process of the sleep-wake cycle is controlled by the body's circadian rhythm and sleep homeostasis (the amount of accumulated sleep need that builds during time spent awake). Circadian rhythms are regulated by the body's internal master clock which is located in the brain.
If I am understanding correctly your article stated that the location of the brain is the same location as the reward system. You asked how they can both be located in the same place since the activities that trigger the reward system don't normally happen while sleeping. I think they can be located in the same location because dopamine impacts both. Melatonin also impacts the sleep cycle. Since scientist have figured out the spot of the brain that helps control the sleep-wake cycle and we know that melatonin (a hormone) helps regulate the sleep cycle then maybe better treatments for sleep disorders can be created.
I do agree that doing things right before bed can impact sleep. I know when I am focused on school or have a lot of things on my mind I have a hard time sleeping.
Interesting article. Thanks for sharing.
RW