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The brain is equipped with special "sleepy" neurons
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Scientists have discovered special “on-duty” cells in the brain that are responsible for the depth and duration of sleep.
The electrical activity of brain cells is determined in the form of specific rhythms (α, β, γ, etc.). These rhythms differ in frequency, amplitude, and combinations depending on the goals set. For example, when a person sleeps, the brain rhythm slows down.
Scientists from the University of California have discovered new neurons that allow the brain to maintain sleep inhibition. In principle, these are not entirely new cells, but already known astrocytes – glial structures of the nervous system, of which there are quite a lot in the brain – up to 30% of all cells. However, until now it was believed that their main function is to feed neurons, to support them. Now scientists have proven that astrocytes are directly involved in the electrical activity of neurons. In particular, they provide support in the brain for specific electrical oscillations, without which higher cognitive functions are impossible. In addition, the cells also support electrical oscillations responsible for sleep.
The experts conducted experiments on rodents. The mice's astrocytes were transformed in such a way that they could be stimulated when necessary. When the rodent fell asleep, the scientists stimulated the astrocyte activity, which led to greater inhibition of slow oscillations. Thanks to this, the mice's sleep became longer and deeper.
In addition, it was found that cells are able to adjust the duration and depth of sleep in different ways. Astrocytes are equipped with two receptor variations. When stimulating the first variation, the brain will sleep for a long time, but the depth of sleep will not change. When stimulating the second variation, sleep will become deeper, but will not be longer. This effect is due to the unification of all astrocytes into a single extensive system: by affecting the cells from one end of the system, changes can be noted from the other end. It is likely that this discovery will eventually allow the development of some drugs for the treatment of various sleep disorders. It is no secret that sleep disorders also directly affect the quality of memory and learning, appetite and the functioning of the nervous system, and the psycho-emotional state of a person. Therefore, this topic is very important for doctors of many specialties.
But it would be a mistake to think that only astrocytes are responsible for the quality of sleep. The entire neural mechanism, together with hormonal neurotransmitters that regulate circadian rhythms, takes part in this process.
Before proceeding with further research, scientists will need to determine whether the findings can be applied to humans, as the experiment was conducted using rodents.
Original source of information: Elifesciences