Sleep cleans the brain – University of Oulu researchers develop a fast, non-invasive way to measure the process
www.oulu.fi
Researchers developed a method that allows the increased movement of brain fluids during sleep to be tracked quickly and safely.

Researchers developed a method that allows the increased movement of brain fluids during sleep to be tracked quickly and safely. They found that 3 kinds of pulsations work together to remove unwanted materials from the brain during sleep.

  • Midnitte@beehaw.orgEnglish
    4·
    17 days ago

    Wonder if they’d be able to simulate the pulses to trigger more restful sleep

    These pulsations fall into three main categories: cardiovascular pulsations generated by the heartbeat in arteries, respiratory pulsations affecting veins and cerebrospinal fluid spaces, and slow vasomotor waves in the walls of blood vessels. Previous research has shown that both these pulsations and the brain’s waste clearance are enhanced during sleep.

    • artifex@piefed.socialOPEnglish
      3·
      17 days ago

      Right? Or maybe optimized sleep so that less is needed. Whether I get 6 or 7 hours of sleep I feel sluggish. But at 8 I’m fine. That seems totally unnecessary. My brain should be able to get the job done in less time.

    • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
      2·
      17 days ago

      CSF flow increases during REM, but it does not mean it causes REM sleep. If anything, it could trick the brain into thinking it was cleaned out.