EFFECT OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BEHAVIOR, BRAIN ACTIVITY, AND COGNITION

Abstract

Sleep deprivation (SD) is a widely spread disorder and its impact on psychological well-being, brain performance, and cognitive abilities is too significant. This is a review of the existing literature on the behavioral, neurobiological, and molecular impacts of sleep deprivation. SD interferes with mood control, attention and executive function, and prevents memory consolidation. These cognitive deficits are attributed to abnormal activity in major brain areas including prefrontal cortex and hippocampus as seen under neuroimaging. Multiple neuromodulators are increased by SD at the cellular level, including adenosine, and produces oxidative stress, and impairs gene expression associated with immune function and cell repair. Such changes of the molecules are raised to the excessive inflammation and impaired DNA repair, as well as an increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions. The awareness of the multi-level effect of sleep deprivation explains the importance of sleep deprivation as a crucial, social health concern, and the necessity to implement interventions that help to prevent sleep integrity deterioration and sustain cognitive and psychological well-being