Early to Bed, Early to Rise? Not so for Teens
November 1, 2005
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows the trigger that causes sleepiness sloughs off as kids hit adolescence, shedding new light on why teens can't fall asleep until later at night.
Previous studies have shown as children go through puberty, they have a harder time going to bed early. That sleep cycle shift has been attributed to changes in their brain's internal clock mechanics. Now, there may be yet another reason for this shift in sleep.
Researchers from Brown Medical School in Rhode Island studied seven pre-teens along with six mature adolescents. The participants underwent 36 hours of sleep deprivation, while their brainwaves were monitored.
Results show the build-up of sleep pressure during the 36 hours of extended wakefulness was slower in adolescents than in the pre-teens in the study. Researchers say this slower sleep pressure is one more reason why teens have a harder time going to bed at earlier hours.
Mary Carskadon, Ph.D., from Brown University, says, "We've found another part of the story -- the mechanism in the brain that builds up sleep pressure is working at a different rate in adolescents than in pre-pubescent children. The results show that the adage 'early to bed, early to rise' presents a real challenge for adolescents."
Researchers say the shift in sleep-cycles for teens is just one more way to physically prepare adolescents for full maturation. Dr. Carskadon adds, "We propose that the higher tolerance to prolonged waking may prepare children for adult lifestyles and for performing tasks under sleep deficits that are common in adults of modern societies."
SOURCE: Sleep, 2005;28
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