At some point, many of us have experienced that sluggish post-lunch hour, when the body feels heavy, eyelids droop, and staying focused seems like a big task. As we reach for a water bottle or quick pick-me-up, the afternoon slump is something we usually shake off. But what if, the drowsiness doesn't go away, lasting all day and making it impossible to stay alert?
For some, this isn't just an occasional inconvenience, it's a constant struggle known as "excessive daytime somnolence". It's a medical condition that goes beyond the typical midday lull, often requiring medical intervention for proper diagnosis and management. There are full-day procedures known as the Multiple Wakefulness Test (MWT). This test assesses how well a person can stay awake and provides insights into sleep patterns.
But thanks to science and its groundbreaking new brain-based test, that will make all lengthy processes a thing of the past.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have discovered a new, brain-based measure of sleepiness.
This evolutionary method relies on electroencephalogram (EEG) to track neuronal excitability, this innovative method paves pay for the diagnosis of daytime sleepiness in just two minutes
Electrodes attached to the scalp in the scalp in the form of an EEG can measure the brain's electrical activity, and this activity reveals how long it takes a person to fall asleep.
Dr. Alex Chatburn, lead neuroscientist and researcher at University of South Australia highlights the significance of this innovation in recent research published in Brain Research. According to Dr. Chatburn, these new EEG markers linked to biological processors could predict whether someone is safe enough to drive, operate machinery, or even have the mental capacity to sit for an exam.
"Sleepiness is a critical biological signal that indicates the body's need for sleep, yet measuring this state in humans remains elusive," he explains.
While EEG technology has been used for years to study sleep, traditional markers often fail to capture the underlying biological mechanisms driving the brain's sleep-wake processes. Dr. Chatburn's method, which tracks neuronal excitability, offers a more accurate and insightful measure of sleepiness.
The implications of this research are far far-reaching Chatburn empathizes that better insights into sleepiness could enhance our understanding of sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. These disorders disrupt sleep without necessarily making people feel sleepy, complicating diagnosis and treatment. With this new approach, healthcare professionals could more accurately assess sleep-related issues, leading to improved management and safety outcomes in everyday life, from driving to exam performance.
This pioneering research was presented at the Sleep DownUnder 2024 Conference on the Gold Coast from October 16-19 last week.
1. A. Chatburn, K. Lushington, Z.R. Cross. Considerations towards a neurobiologically-informed EEG measurement of sleepiness. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899324003421
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Josna Lewis/MSM)