Good night`s sleep imperative to boost memory, says study

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: For all those who love to sleep or are looked down upon by family members for sleeping in till late, this may make you happy!

A study has concluded that a good night's sleep can boost your memory! Researchers have said that this is because, brain activity during sleep sorts through several experiences we encounter every day and retains only important information in memory pockets.

The findings showed that patterns of brain activity that occur during the day are replayed at fast-forward speed during sleep.

A maximum of six to eight hours of sleep daily is mandatory for good health.

These findings are about the fundamental processes that occur in the brain during the consolidation of memory during sleep,” said lead researcher Jack Mellor from University of Bristol in a paper published in the journal Cell Reports.

The new discoveries provide further evidence for the benefits of a good night's sleep.

Good sleep is important because the bad night sleep often experienced by both the healthy population and people with schizophrenia or Alzheimer's disease lead to impaired mental function.

“It also seems that the successful replay of brain activity during sleep is dependent on the emotional state of the person when they are learning. This has major implications for how we teach and enable people to learn effectively,” Mellor said.

The replayed activity happens in part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is our central filing system for memories.

At least now you have something to reply with with if amyone calls you out for sleeping too much!

(With IANS inputs)