Aging in Brain Found to Hurt Sleep Needed for Memory

[groovedaddy]

Scientists have known for decades that the ability to remember newly learned information declines with age, but it was not clear why. A new study may provide part of the answer.

The report, posted online on Sunday by the journal Nature Neuroscience, suggests that structural brain changes occurring naturally over time interfere with sleep quality, which in turn blunts the ability to store memories for the long term.

Previous research had found that the prefrontal cortex, the brain region behind the forehead, tends to lose volume with age, and that part of this region helps sustain quality sleep, which is critical to consolidating new memories. But the new experiment, led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, is the first to directly link structural changes with sleep-related memory problems.

The findings suggest that one way to slow memory decline in aging adults is to improve sleep, specifically the so-called slow-wave phase, which constitutes about a quarter of a normal night’s slumber.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/28/health/brain-aging-linked-to-sleep-related-memory-decline.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130128

[mopinko]

1. i'm doomed.

my sleep already sucks.

[kimtjj195_tx]

2. Same here man

I have great trouble getting more than 6 hours of sleep these days. God am I tired.

[ellisonz]

3. I sleep like a baby - 8 hours every night.

But I'm young and full of joy. Every morning I wake up and thank God for giving me the rest to do his good work by adding positive things to the lives of others through my labor.

[mopinko]

4. i hate you.

jk
good that you appreciate it.

[ellisonz]

5. You're most certainly welcome to it!

Check your inbox

[SheilaT]

6. I have long attributed my amazing good health

at least in part to mostly getting enough sleep. Unfortunately, it's too often taken as a badge of honor to get by with as little sleep as possible.

[RagAss]

7. Melatonin !