Sleep Tight! Researchers Identify the Beneficial Role of Sleep (2 of 3) (IMAGE)

Bar-Ilan University

Sleep Tight! Researchers Identify the Beneficial Role of Sleep (2 of 3)

Caption

Why do animals sleep? Why do humans "waste" a third of their lives sleeping? Researchers now reveal a novel and unexpected function of sleep that could explain how sleep and sleep disturbances affect brain performance, aging and various brain disorders. Using 3D time-lapse imaging techniques in live zebrafish, they were able to define sleep in a single chromosome resolution and show that single neurons require sleep in order to perform nuclear maintenance. Photo: Simultaneous imaging of chromosome dynamics (red) and neuronal activity (green) in live zebrafish.

Credit

David Zada

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.