Regular naps lead to increased brain volume
Previous studies have shown that naps have cognitive benefits in the brain, and there are cases where people who took short naps performed better on cognitive performance tests than those who didn't nap. New research suggests that regular naps are associated with an increase in total brain volume.
Is there an association between daytime napping, cognitive function, and brain volume? A Mendelian randomization study in the UK Biobank - Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation
Regular napping linked to larger brain volume | UCL News - UCL – University College London
Short daytime naps may keep brain healthy as it ages, study says | Neuroscience |
This research is by researchers at the University of the Republic of Uruguay, Massachusetts General Hospital, and University College London (UCL), and the paper is published in the academic journal 'Sleep Health'.
The research team used
They found that those who were programmed to take naps had greater total brain capacity. It has been estimated that the mean difference in brain volume with those who do not is equivalent to 2.6 to 5.6 years of aging.
However, there were no significant differences in hippocampal volume, reaction time, or visual processing, which are measures of brain health and cognitive performance.
'By looking at genes that are set at birth, Mendelian randomization is a lifelong study that could influence the relationship between naps and health outcomes,' said Valentina Paz, lead author of the paper. It avoids confounding factors that occur through sleep, which means that our study shows that there is a causal relationship between habitual naps and increased total brain capacity.'
UCL's Dr. Victoria Garfield added, 'We hope that studies like this showing the health benefits of short naps will help reduce the stigma that still exists.'
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in Science, Posted by logc_nt