![\"memory_test_insomnia\"](\"http:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/memory_tes_insomnia.jpg\")
Researchers from the University of California reveal an interesting link between sleeplessness and brain performance in a study published in \u201cSleep Journal.\u201d<\/p>\nResearchers from the University of California reveal an interesting link between sleeplessness and brain performance in a study published in \u201cSleep Journal.\u201d<\/p>\n
This discovery is significant to all of us, as it shows how lack of sleep impairs our ability to perform daily tasks and responsibilities. <\/p>\n
The insomnia study involved 50 study participants. Half of them suffered from insomnia and reported sleeping not more than 6 hours on average. The other 25 were healthy sleepers, having at least 7 hours of sleep on average.<\/p>\n
The study group was asked to perform a working memory test (shows the capacity of the brain to process and store short-term memory) while scanning their brains with functioning magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI). They were also asked to perform some concentration tasks to see the activity of the brain. <\/p>\n
After assessing the results of the study, researchers noticed that insomnia sufferers showed significantly lower activity in the part of the brain responsible for short-term memory compared to the healthy-sleeper group. <\/p>\n
And as the concentration tasks became more difficult, the healthy sleepers showed an overall increase in brain activity compared to the insomnia group.<\/p>\n
The insomnia sufferers, however, not only showed less brain activity, but were also unable to \u201cswitch off\u201d the brain\u2019s default mode, responsible for wandering minds and poor concentration. <\/p>\n
The study once again proves how important healthy sleep is. Without the proper rest, our brains can\u2019t function accordingly; we suffer fatigue and even easy tasks become impossible to complete.<\/p>\n