The Science Of Sleep

Lesley Stahl Explores The Latest Findings In Sleep Research

(CBS)  Some of Walker's subjects learned this sequence in the morning, then were tested 12 hours later to see how well they had learned. Their performance remained essentially the same. But others learned it late in the day, then were re-tested after a night of sleep. Their performance, as well as Stahl's, actually improved by at least 20 to 30 percent.

"So, it seems to be that practice does not quite make perfect; it’s practice with a night of sleep that makes perfect," Walker says. "It's this odd notion that we all think in Western civilization that we have to stay awake to get more done. And I think that's simply not true. In fact, I think if you have a good night of sleep, what you'll find is that you can get more done than if you simply stay awake."

But what if you do sleep, just not enough?

That's the focus of an NIH-funded study at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine, where four paid volunteers get wired up with electrodes and spend a week and a half sequestered in a dimly lit hospital suite. They have to stay awake until 4 a.m., then are woken up at 8 a.m. for five nights in a row. Then they're given tests to measure the effects of what's called "chronic partial sleep deprivation."

"So what are you finding? What kind of effect does just four hours a night have?" Stahl asks David Dinges, the scientist in charge of the Penn study.

"Well, the first finding, and it stunned us, was there's a cumulative impairment that develops in your ability to think fast, to react quickly, to remember things. And it starts right away," Dinges says. "A single night at four hours or five hours or even six, can in most people, begin to show affects in your attention and your memory and the speed with which you think. A second night it gets worse. A third night worse. Each day adds an additional burden or deficit to your cognitive ability."

"I'm stunned by you saying one night of just four or five hours sleep, and your ability to function is already hurt," Stahl remarks.

"But remember, we're not allowing caffeine, and we're not allowing physical activity and bright light. And for most of us, probably a day or two or so, you can get by taking these, what we call the counter measures, right? But, at some point what these studies show is the impairments get so bad, that there's little to no rescue possible without getting more sleep," Dinges says.

Dinges told 60 Minutes that his subjects, like a young French woman named Hacina, get to where it seems like they’re moving through molasses.

"So, overall, how do you think not having enough sleep for five nights has affected you?" Stahl asked Hacina.

"Well, my - I- I'm quiet - quieter, definitely," she replied.

"And - and - uh- what else did you ask?" Hacina asked after a long pause, seeming confused.

The testing for alertness and reaction time has real-world relevance. Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute did a study of what causes car crashes. They got 241 volunteers to agree to have their cars wired with five cameras each. Over a year's time they found that driving drowsy was the riskiest behavior of all.

"You only need two seconds to have a lapse, in driving a car at 60 miles an hour, to drift completely out lane," Dinges says. "You're off the road in four seconds. And those kinds of lapses and slowed reaction times begin to appear fairly early."

The lapses are called "micro-sleeps," and can even occur when people have their eyes open.

[kids15]

I really enjoyed the topic because the topic is about our every day lives. Millions of americans suffer from not getting enough sleep. For instance americans are in so much stress living in the every day lives we dont realize that not getting enough rest can make the individual sick. A persons body can begin to shut down without a person not even knowing it. We have daily american people working numerous amount of shifts. We have americans working part-time, full-time, eight hour shifts, four days on four days off and so on. When the typical person finally lies down the individual cant go to right to sleep. Their legs might cant keep still and it goes on and on. Inconclusion, if americans could maybe when get the chance to get a couple of hours of rest, they might take advantage of it. I am a Certified Nurses Aide, and I am trying to get into the RN program, and me myself is an an example because of everyday living. If americans could take the time out to think about maybe if something needs to be done if maybe putting it on the back burner or if its not as important as the other errands during the day, then maybe that could be an extra hour in the day to be able to relax and have time for themselves.

[8471nextel]

I find this video very interesting, specially the second part because it can be related to our teenager?s life. It is very important for them to understand the importance of getting enough hours of sleep, learn the consequences of sleep deprivation and to understand the constellation of healthy related issues when not getting enough sleep. We can start from the cognitive, emotional and physical impairment. Many students fell asleep during class for that reason, their levels of academic achievements are greatly affected and their vulnerability to make wrong decision can is also highly increased for the very same reason. Even obesity seems to be somehow related. How about driving at 16 when sleep deprived?.extremely dangerous...
I also believed that videos like this one and others related to sleep are supposed to be shared with students in the classroom, in a sleep awareness week or once a year, mandatory.

[sleepnotebook]

It is truly amazing how the brain works while we sleep. When most think our brain is resting, it turns out that it is more active than when awake at certain times of the night. What I find amazing is how the mind goes through the levels of sleep and goes through the pattern multiple times per night. I have definitely applied the rule that if I ever take a nap, I try to never sleep more than 20 minutes or so, forcing my brain to not dip into the deeper levels of sleep. Check out my blog as I battle with problematic sleep at http://www.sleepnotebook.com

[khristine415]

I suffer from Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and have had trouble with sleep for many years. A lack of sleep during my most troublesome times and symtoms makes the CPTSD worse. This segment was very interesting to me. Lack of sleep can cause a snowball effect with existing mental disorders and mental disorders can also effect sleep. I have found that if I can improve my sleep, or sometimes actually get to sleep and stay asleep, that my symptoms are better and I have an easier time coping with the anxiety and C-PTSD symptoms.

Khristine415

[bealll95]

I''d LOVE to see this study with Paramedics. I have worked as a Paramedic for 14 years now and I have ALWAYS mentioned that the 24 hours with no sleep and treating patients is not only dangerous for the Paramedics, but maybe even fatally dangerous for the patients. Not to mention you have an EMT driving the ambulance with no sleep and using lights and sirens and breaking red lights. How scary is that!?!?!?!

[cbsuser0423]

Is there an address I can write to, to be a part of the sleep deprivation study? During the article on sleep deprivation, one of the clinics said there studies are open to anyone who might want to participate.

[siscokid19]

With all the research being done and verifications as to the severity of loss of clarity, Why is it the armed forces insists on forcing sleep deprivation on our soldiers? Can''t anyone open their eyes to the lasting harm it does to our men? I''m sure there has been programs on this subject but I for one would like to see an update based on the effect to our military in terms of lives lost and lives permanetly destroyed by sleep deprivation. I am sure that if all the "accidents and situations" created by sleep deprivation were classified correctly as a direct or indirect result of sleep deprivation we would all be shocked into action to somehow come up with an alternative for the armed services. I am also sure that unless people know someone in the service and knows their routines they are not aware of how extensive the problem is.
Please help uncover this abuse.

[gavinjohnson-2009]

Strange that you do a story on "the science of sleep" and yet you never mention modafinil. What gives?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil

[gavinjohnson-2009]

Strange that you do a story on "the science of sleep" and yet you never mention modafinil. What gives?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil

[libarsh]

Although this piece was not specifically aimed at the problems associated with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the health issues related to sleep deprivation are equally applicable to OSA. Snoring, observed episodes of cessation of breathing during sleep, high blood pressure, a shirt collar size of 17 inches in men and 16 inches in women and excessive daytime sleepiness are suggestive of sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a sleep physician.

Treatment options include CPAP (continuous positive air pressure delivered through a tube and nose mask) and oral appliances that maintain the lower jaw in a forward position.

More information is available at www.snoringisntsexy.com and www.quietsleep.com.

Dr. Barsh

(Producers: If you plan to follow this excellent show with one that discusses sleep breathing problems, I would be happy to talk with you about dentistry''s expanding role.)

[libarsh]

Although this piece was not specifically aimed at the problems associated with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the health issues related to sleep deprivation are equally applicable to OSA. Snoring, observed episodes of cessation of breathing during sleep, high blood pressure, a shirt collar size of 17 inches in men and 16 inches in women and excessive daytime sleepiness are suggestive of sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a sleep physician.

Treatment options include CPAP (continuous positive air pressure delivered through a tube and nose mask) and ora appliances that maintain the lower jaw in a forward position.

More information is available at www.snoringisntsexy.com and www.quietsleep.com.

Dr. Barsh

(Producers: If you plan to follow this excellent show with one that discusses sleep breathing problems, I would be happy to talk with you about dentistry''s expanding role.)

[MollyClaire]

I watched the "Science of Sleep" and "And The Happiest Place On Earth Is...". One question was unanswered: How much sleep do the Danes get?

[johnlsmith7]

I once accepted a position as an Operator at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Powerplant. I was handed a schedule of:
5 days on 2 days off 2nd shift
then 5 days on 2 days off graveyard
then 5 days on 4 days off day shift
I declined the job because of the sleep rotation but can we trust our Nuclear safety to this type of (forced) depravity on the operators?

[p80_mz]

You should do a test of Air Traffic Controllers. Talk about a sleep deprived bunch many of us are working rotating shifts, 10 hour days, 1 day off per week. Add that to the fact that many millions of lives depend on us men and women everyday and it can take a toll on a person. All the tests I saw performed today were nothing in comparison to making split second decisions when two airplanes are hurtling at each other over 500 mph.

[p80_mz]

You should do a test of Air Traffic Controllers. Talk about a sleep deprived bunch many of us are working rotating shifts, 10 hour days, 1 day off per week. Add that to the fact that many millions of lives depend on us men and women everyday and it can take a toll on a person. All the tests I saw performed today were nothing in comparison to making split second decisions when two airplanes are hurtling at each other over 500 mph.

[p80_mz]

You should do a test of Air Traffic Controllers. Talk about a sleep deprived bunch many of us are working rotating shifts, 10 hour days, 1 day off per week. Add that to the fact that many millions of lives depend on us men and women everyday and it can take a toll on a person. All the tests I saw performed today were nothing in comparison to making split second decisions when two airplanes are hurtling at each other over 500 mph.

[p80_mz]

You should do a test of Air Traffic Controllers. Talk about a sleep deprived bunch many of us are working rotating shifts, 10 hour days, 1 day off per week. Add that to the fact that many millions of lives depend on us men and women everyday and it can take a toll on a person. All the tests I saw performed today were nothing in comparison to making split second decisions when two airplanes are hurtling at each other over 500 mph.

[p80_mz]

You should do a test of Air Traffic Controllers. Talk about a sleep deprived bunch many of us are working rotating shifts, 10 hour days, 1 day off per week. Add that to the fact that many millions of lives depend on us men and women everyday and it can take a toll on a person. All the tests I saw performed today were nothing in comparison to making split second decisions when two airplanes are hurtling at each other over 500 mph.

[agstatered]

I have been sleep deprived since I was 17 years old (1982). Life has been miserable. Sleep studies in the late 80s and early 90s showed no sleep "disorder," but that something was wrong because I could not stay awake during the day studies. They wished me luck. During this time, I was constantly exhausted, sleeping 16-18 hrs/day, incapable of retaining information, inable to focus, falling asleep at inappropriate times, CONSTANT cravings for carbohydrates and increased mental instability (severe OCD, anxiety, and paranoia). In 2000 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The diagnosising doctor told me the first thing he was going to treat was my lack of sleep.
My life changed after that day. My anxiety, paranoia, and OCD decreased greatly & I lost 45 lbs in 10 wks without exercise. My EXTREME cravings for carbohydrates had dropped to a small rumble. My mental stability was much better; life was not as bleak. Every day life was easier to handle and I no longer felt that my life (and mind) was completely out of control.I will probably always be sleep deprived due to the Fibro, especially while in the workforce. I cannot take the nec. dose of sleep meds during the wk because it''s hard to wake up. I go to work tired. To date, I have NEVER said that I have woken up feeling "refreshed."
I think it is so important that people realize how much sleep is necessary for a well-balanced life and I am very happy that this problem is being focused on. Keep up the good work.

[randallk44]

I very much appreciate the depth to which you covered this!!! I am a person who suffers from mental illness and have gotten worse and worse because I am constantly robbed of sleep. My city (Merced) doesn''t adhere to the Noise Abatement laws and have had to fight for years trying to get the police to enforce the law, with little success. I have people driving throughout the neighborhood multiple times a night, honking their horns repeatedly, to wake up immigrant workers. About 10 more times a night waken up by people driving around with stereos at extreme volumes during the night and all hours of the day.

I have tried time and again to move and the same problems. My health has gotten so bad that I am shoved into depressions that last for months now. It has literally been years since I have gotten anything close to a good nights sleep. For me, my art when I can still focus is my only happiness and I tire of endlessly having to fight for my home.

I mean, I can''t even hardly fill out the registration here - and I used to own a computer shop!!! Endless frustration... (sorry).