The study from Uppsala University, Sweden, shows that one night of sleep deprivation increases morning blood concentrations of molecules NSE and S-100B in healthy young men.
These molecules are typically found in the brain. Thus, their rise in blood after sleep loss may indicate that a lack of sleep may result in loss of brain tissue, researchers said.
Fifteen normal-weight men participated in the study. In one condition they were sleep-deprived for one night, while in the other condition they slept for approximately 8 hours.
"Thus, our results indicate that a lack of sleep may promote neurodegenerative processes," said Benedict.
"In conclusion, the findings of our trial indicate that a good night's sleep may be critical for maintaining brain health," said Benedict.
The findings are published in the journal SLEEP.