In this article medicine scientists from the Stanford University found a brain circuit that they think is necessary for the sleep-wake cycle. They also think this brain circuit can help behaviors that help living things to survive, including reproduction. The scientists said they knew there was a connection between certain behaviors such as getting away from predators or finding food to the sleep cycle and now they have been able to pinpoint it. They say that this can help them to create drugs that will treat people with insomnia and other sleep disorders in order for people to get a better sleep at night. This will help unlike other sleep helping drugs that entirely shut down the brain to keep the brain functioning like normal. They state that 25-30 percent of Americans are in some way affected by a sleep disorder and this influences other neuropsychiatric disorders making them worse. What helps this new brain circuit is dopamine. The VTA is where most dopamine-secreting nerve fibers go, creating a feeling of pleasure. There are many drugs that stimulate the dopamine but they also keep users awake in the night. In this article they also discussed an experiment that was made on mice to test the brain circuit and sleep habits of the mice.
In my opinion I think the article was very insightful and furthered my knowledge on sleep habits as well as the fact that there is a connection between the sleep-wake cycle affecting everyday behaviors. I find it interesting that they decided to test their new brain circuit theory on mice to see if it actually was accurate.
I chose this article because I was intrigued by what they had to say concerning sleep habits and behaviors. I like to learn about how the brain works and how living things do certain mental processes. Also I am majoring in behavioral sciences so this applies to what I am going into and studying as a whole.
This article is very relevant to today's world because it discusses that a number of American's are affected by sleep disturbances which affects their behaviors. For them to have found a way to help diminish that would be great for the society as well as help further science exploration on the brain circuits.
-Abigail Y.
Did they make any mention of or do you know anything about how this might help sleep disturbances for people with PTSD? I know many former military that have a very hard time getting and staying asleep, they have tried every drug in the book.
ReplyDelete-A Wardell
I am part of the 25-30 percent that has a form of sleep deprivation. It's rough stuff and pretty annoying considering how much I love sleep. Anyway, I found it weird that dopamine would be the natural chemical that they are testing to help sleeping disorders. I hope it works, but I wonder if whatever drug they come up with if it would become an addictive substance. All addictions are actually caused from a high amount of dopamine and other natural chemicals so I wouldn't be surprised if it does end up that way.
ReplyDelete-A.G
Have you tried a lot of different medications to help you sleep? What properties do the medications that work better have? i wonder if a more natural approach could help. KH
DeleteSleep studies are fascinating. There is not one person I know who doesn't want a good nights sleep. Electronics are a huge part of sleep deprivation-the light shining in our eyes keeps our brain awake. My mom struggles with sleeping, she wakes up at 4-5am everyday. Sometimes I wish I was her because then I would get so much done in the mornings. However sleep is when our mind and body mend-it is essential.
ReplyDelete