Researchers: proper sleep boosts memory

Swiss researchers say good night's sleep can be the best way to boost memory. According to these researchers, nocturnal sleep affects on the way of brain functions in the next day. Accordingly, it seems enough sleep at night helps to strengthen memory and learning by facilitate the neuro-chemical communication of brain cells. Researchers at the University of Geneva presented the results of their research at the conference of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies. In this study, they tested the effect of nocturnal sleep on brain function on 32 volunteers. The researchers showed some images to the people or they wanted to follow a spot on the monitor. It was allowed to half of them to sleep for eight hours and half the other members of the group were not allowed to sleep or at least had a short nap. The next day, the researchers asked tested subjects to follow the exhibited images again or remember the seen pictures. Synchronous, the neural activity in their brain was examined by MRI. According to the researchers, those who slept enough the previous night, had a better performance. Doctor Sophie Schwartz, the director of the Geneva University researchers said: "Our research shows that a period of sleep following a new experience can impact on learning and promote it". He said: "This improvement comes from changes in the functional areas of the brain that is related to learning". In this case, the doctor Schwartz said more research is needed to assess the required sleep to help boost memory. He also emphasized to need of understanding the effects of sleep on performance and the power of perception. According to Doctor Neil Stanley that is a sleep specialist in Great Britain, the study by Swiss researchers suggests the importance of a good night's sleep. This is while, according to the latest survey, only one-fifth of British sleep eight hours in day. Doctor Stanley said: "Sleep is not a waste of time. It is very active part of life and we need it to improve the memory and learning ability".