Sleep deprivation damages older kids’ brains, new study reveals

The brains of older kids are affected by sleep deprivation, a new study shows.

Experts examined the effects of taking too long to fall asleep, being awakened more often, having a shorter sleeping time, and abnormal breathing in bed.

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Kids who often wake up or don’t sleep enough have brains less efficient, flexible and resilient[/caption]

They found all these made pre-teens’ brains less efficient, flexible and resilient — and they could cause them to struggle to understand and work out things, control their behaviour and regulate emotions.

More than 5,500 parents of nine to 11-year-olds were asked about their kids’ sleep by academics at Boston Children’s Hospital, US.

Answers were compared with results of MRI scans of the children’s brains while rested.

The brains of children who slept less were able to notice changes. On average, girls got eight to nine hours of sleep whereas boys get nine to eleven hours.

Children overweight were more restless, and more likely not to sleep enough.

Dr Caterina Samoulis, a lead researcher in the field of early adolescence, has called it a “critical time in brain development”As its circuits change to assist with problem solving and decision making.

She also added: “We show that inadequate sleep could have enormous implications for cognitive and mental health.”