Sleep: Post #6--Russel Foster--Summary of his TED Talk

Why do we sleep? ~Russell Foster (2103 TED Talk)

We treat sleep lightly. Sleep was once revered—Shakespeare called it “the sweet honey-dew of sleep.” But later, people like Edison had a dimmer view—“Sleep is a criminal waste of time!” We spend 1/3 of our time sleeping. But you don’t eat, work, or do much of anything while sleeping, so we sometimes consider it a waste of time. BUT: The brain does not shut down when we sleep—it does important things: 1) Restoration—a host of genes are only turned on during sleep for restoration; 2) Sleep enhances both learning and memory consolidation—hard to learn when you’re tired; 3) Innovation is enhanced by 3 times with proper sleep. Neural connections that are important are strengthened and others loosened—basic consolidation.

Sleep: Post #5--Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's: What gets cleared—Amyloid-beta—a waste protein made in the brain. In Alzheimer patients, amyloid-beta builds up and gets backed up (acts like a pollutant). Clearance of this protein is rapid in sleep. Sleep problems often precede and may contribute to development of Alzheimer’s. Sleep keeps our brain clean and ready for important mental activity when we’re awake.

Link to Jeff Iliff’s TED Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks

Sleep: Post #4--Brain Restoration

Brain Restoration: MOST Surprising Finding: CSF flushing and restoring of the

brain only takes place during sleep! When you sleep, your brain cells shrink and CSF gets pumped down along the circulatory system to flush out waste. But when you’re awake, the brain puts off restoration and clearing. It waits until, and only until, you’re asleep.