How Chronic Sleep Deprivation Changes the Brain

Lack of sleep is not the same as lack of sleep – while a night of sleep impairs performance in the short term, chronic lack of sleep has more far-reaching consequences for the brain. This has now been shown by a meta-analysis by Forschungszentrum Jülich: Researchers have found that different brain regions are affected, depending on whether the lack of sleep is acute or chronic.

chronic sleeps

Acute sleep deprivation affects temperature regulation

In the meta-study, the researchers analyzed data from 231 studies with a total of 3,380 participants. In these studies, various imaging techniques were used to compare the brain with the diagnosed sleep disorder. The research team from Jülich then divided these into acute and chronic sleep deprivation and compared the patterns with each other.

The scientists were able to confirm what probably everyone knows as the consequences of an acute lack of sleep: You are less attentive, freeze more easily and your ability to react is limited. The immune system also suffers from this, so that the susceptibility to infections increases.

All of these symptoms are related to changes in the right thalamus, a brain region responsible for temperature regulation, movement, and pain perception. This suggests that short-term sleep deprivation particularly affects this area of the brain.

Chronic lack of sleep affects emotions, memories, and decisions

Chronic sleep disorders include problems falling asleep and staying asleep, sleep apnea or narcolepsy. In this disease, the brain cannot properly regulate sleep and wake phases. Participants who suffered from persistent sleep problems stood out due to permanent changes in the brain:

In particular, the scientists saw changes in the anterior cingulate cortex, the right amygdala and the hippocampus. These regions are involved in the processing of emotions, memories, and decisions.

It has been known for some time that people who sleep badly permanently are more susceptible to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders. The results of the meta-study now prove the mechanism behind it, according to the study authors.

In the UAE

With the fast-paced life in the UAE and work life stress, its easy to be a victim of short hours of sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation is a serious public health concern globally, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where fast-paced lifestyles, long work hours, and increasing screen time contribute to poor sleep habits.