New research from Sweden suggests not getting enough sleep could contribute to tissue loss in the brain.
A research team determined that one night of not sleeping increased the "morning blood concentration" of NSE and S-100B (molecules found in the brain) in young men, an Uppsala Universitet news release reported.
The findings suggest an increase in these levels could be a contributing factor to brain tissue loss.
"We observed that a night of total sleep loss was followed by increased blood concentrations of NSE and S-100B. These brain molecules typically rise in blood under conditions of brain damage. Thus, our results indicate that a lack of sleep may promote neurodegenerative processes," sleep researcher Christian Benedict at the Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, who lead the study, said in the news release.
The team looked at 15 average-weight men. The study participants were tested after being deprived of sleep for one night; and then again when they had slept for about eight hours.
"In conclusion, the findings of our trial indicate that a good night's sleep may be critical for maintaining brain health," Benedict said.
The finding was published in the journal Sleep.
A past study at the University of Surrey found that not getting enough sleep can also harm genes, the Huffington Post reported.
The research team found that getting less than six hours of sleep a night for a week caused changes in about 700 genes.
An unrelated study from the University of California, Berkeley, determined that only one night of sleep deprivation interfered with the brain's "decision making and reward areas." It also caused study participants to crave unhealthy food, the Huffington Post reported.
Sleep deprivation is known to cause side effects such as: changes in cognitive function, weight gain, a weaker immune system, and high blood pressure, MayoClinic reported.
