Researchers at University of Bonn and King's College London found that even as little as 24 hours without sleep can produce symptoms of schizophrenia. Healthy subjects of both genders ranging in age from 18-40 were examined for psychosis symptoms and subjected to prepulse inhibition testing following 24 hours without sleep. The results were startling to the scientists.

The Frightening Dangers of Missing One Night of Sleep

Professor Dr. Ulrich Ettinger of the Cognitive Psychology Unit in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bonn said the following:

"It was clear to us that a sleepless night leads to impairment in the ability to concentrate ... But we were surprised at how pronounced and how wide the spectrum of schizophrenia-like symptoms was ... We did not expect that the symptoms could be so pronounced after one night spent awake."

This research is significant given the number of Americans who suffer from undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders or who regularly get poor, insufficient sleep. A paucity or absence of restorative sleep is potentially life-threatening. Since the invention of the light bulb, we sleep on average 500 hours less annually than at the turn of the last century.

The Dangers of Lost Sleep, Sleepiness, and Fatigue

Sleep deprivation (even by only a few hours) can lead to:

brain shrinkage
depression and related mood disorders
poor decision making
weight gain
car accidents
even death

Given the availability and affordability of credentialed, accredited sleep testing and sleep therapy at Austin sleep centers and Austin sleep labs like SleepSomatics, there is no reason or excuse for patients to ignore life-threatening poor sleep. Get your in-lab sleep study today at SleepSomatics.

Concerned you aren't getting enough sleep? If you or someone you care about snores or is tired and fatigued during the day, sleep-disordered breathing (and sleep apnea) may be a serious risk. Get your sleep tested today by SleepSomatics, a professionally credentialed and accredited sleep test center located in Austin since 1999. Call 512.323.9253.

For more information, read this article's sources:

How Sleep Deprivation Decays the Mind and Body

Not getting a good night's sleep can cause your brain to SHRINK

Sleep Deprivation Disrupts Prepulse Inhibition and Induces Psychosis-Like Symptoms in Healthy Humans

Sleep deprivation leads to symptoms of schizophrenia

Sleep Deprivation, Psychosis and Mental Efficiency

This blog's thumbnail image credit goes to Medical News Today.