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In brief, when sleep is shortened or disrupted, cognitive performance on a range of tasks suffers. For instance, total sleep deprivation leads to poorer short-term memory, attention, and processing speed, as shown by a recent meta-analysis [1].
How does sleep deprivation affect cognition?
Scientists measuring sleepiness have found that sleep deprivation leads to lower alertness and concentration. It’s more difficult to focus and pay attention, so you’re more easily confused. This hampers your ability to perform tasks that require logical reasoning or complex thought. Sleepiness also impairs judgment.
Which cognitive functions can be affected by a lack of sleep?
It suggests that SD especially impairs cognitive performances that depend on the prefrontal cortex. These include higher functions, such as language, executive functions, divergent thinking, and creativity.
How does sleep deprivation affect the cognitive and physical function?
Moreover, sleep deprivation has been shown to have a detrimental effect on certain aspects of working memory, such as filtering efficiency, whilst Stroop test scores show degradation; however, this has been evidenced to be due to deficits in reaction time rather than processing skills [5, 11–17].
Does sleep affect cognitive performance?
Sleep is essential for effective cognitive functioning. Loosing even a few hours of sleep can have detrimental effects on a wide variety of cognitive processes such as attention, language, reasoning, decision making, learning and memory.
How does sleep deprivation affect the teenage brain?
Sleep deprivation increases the likelihood teens will suffer myriad negative consequences, including an inability to concentrate, poor grades, drowsy-driving incidents, anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide and even suicide attempts.