Waking up tired as bad as being drunk
13 January 2006
by Carina
Lee
|
People who wake up after sleeping soundly for eight hours have impaired thinking and memory skills more than if they have been sleep-deprived for 24-hours, according to a study undertaken by scientists at the University of Colorado. Professor Ken Wright and Adam Wertz led the study. "This is the first time anyone has quantified the effects of sleep inertia," Wright explained. "We found the cognitive skills of test subjects were worse upon awakening than after extended sleep deprivation. For a short period, at least, the effects of sleep inertia may be as bad as or worse than being legally drunk." The patients exhibited behaviour such as diminished short-term memory, counting skills, and cognitive ability upon waking up, a phase known as sleep inertia. These findings have implications for professions demanding the performance of critical tasks during the sleep inertia phase. The analysis takes us into the brain, in particular the cortical region of the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for the higher-order tasks such as problem solving, emotions, and complex thinking. It has been observed that it takes longer for the prefrontal cortex to 'switch on' after the first ten minutes of waking up. Another associated problem concerning sleep inertia arises when people have to make immediate conscious decisions such as in emergency situations. |
|
Related Links
Original press release from University of Colorado
Nature
& Science News
ClearlyExplained.com