Scientists have announced that they succeeded in artificially creating brain activity characteristic of deep sleep to reduce fatigue.
Medianews.az reports, citing Musavat.com, that scientists from the University of Wisconsin’s Madison campus in the USA managed to artificially replicate brain activity characteristic of deep sleep in awake mice.
According to the information, it has been determined that during the slow-wave sleep phase, the brain reassesses the neural connections formed throughout the day, strengthening important connections and weakening unnecessary ones. This process helps preserve memory and supports the normal functioning of the nervous system.
The researchers modified the mice so that the activity of neurons could be controlled through light. Later, slow-wave activity characteristic of deep sleep was artificially created in a part of the cerebral cortex. After the wake period, fewer signs of fatigue were observed in the stimulated brain area.
Within the scope of the study, the mice were also given a task related to recognizing a new environment. The animals receiving artificial stimulation performed this task more successfully compared to other mice.