{"id":8244,"date":"2023-03-09T11:42:28","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T11:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031\/?p=8244"},"modified":"2023-03-09T11:42:28","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T11:42:28","slug":"the-mystery-of-extreme-sleep-deprivation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2031\/2023\/03\/09\/the-mystery-of-extreme-sleep-deprivation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mystery of Extreme Sleep Deprivation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We all know the effects of a late night, especially if we need to get up early in the morning. We’re more irritable, less focused and less alert. I previously thought that symptoms of extreme sleep deprivation of around 48 hours or more, might be similar. However, this is not the case. Interestingly, in extreme cases, your perception of reality can become very distorted and you may experience intense hallucinations. The first symptoms can be seen within 24-48 hours of no sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Microsleep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleep is essential for maintaining pathways in the brain that are important for forming memories and retaining information. I wanted to focus on one symptom that can been seen in both minor and extreme cases, known as microsleep. During microsleep, your brain is not processing external information and you have a reduced response to external stimuli such as noise. This happens for around 10 seconds and most people may not realise it happening. Have you ever been stuck at a red light and felt yourself drift off even though your eyes are still open? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer, J. (2023) Microsleep: Symptoms, causes, and safety risks<\/em>, Sleep Foundation<\/em>. Edited by A. Rehman. Available at: https:\/\/www.sleepfoundation.org\/how-sleep-works\/microsleep <\/a>(Accessed: March 8, 2023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attached is a podcast with Professor Russell Foster talking about the effects of sleep deprivation and the relationship between sleep and mood disorders and abnormal cognitive behaviour. Here he discusses microsleep and the long-term effects of night shifts. This is a trustworthy source as he has scientific explanations for his conclusions but uses language that is easy to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dangers Of Sleep Deprivation 2016 – Prof Russell Foster, Oxford UK <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How can we further our understanding of extreme sleep deprivation?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Brain waves can be measured with the help of an electroencephalogram (EEG) and fMRI scans to show active areas of the brain whilst sleep deprived and compare this to the patient when well rested. The benefits of these methods are that the patient can remain awake so a real-time impression of the brain can be made. However, the patient must be made aware of the short and long-term risks associated with sleep deprivation and in order for the study to be controlled, the patient may need to be observed to ensure they are not asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was discovered in a 2018 study on sleep deprivation, where results were gathered from 760 participants, where first symptoms, around 24-48 hours in, included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n