Interrupted sleep affects the ability to form memories, and this could help explain some memory-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS).
To reach this conclusion, researchers from Stanford University (USA) used a technique called optogenetics , which consists of the genetic manipulation of cells in order to control them using light. Then, while the mice slept, they sent pulses of light to their brains so that they could disrupt sleep without affecting total rest time. The animals had been placed in a box with two objects, one of which was familiar to them.
Once awake, the unaffected rodents spent more time examining the unknown object, but those with sleep disturbances focused their attention equally on the two pieces. This suggests that they did not remember the one that was previously familiar.
Researchers say the results show that regardless of the total amount of sleep or intensity, or n minimum time of interrupted sleep every night is crucial for memory consolidation.
