Sleep repairs damaged DNA: Indian neuroscientists support Israeli study

Sharing views on the findings of the Israeli study that confirms that sleep helps in repairing the damaged DNA thus improving brain performance. The study published in the ‘Nature Communications’ journal by the researchers from the Bar-Ilan University in Israel reveals that DNA breaks/damages in the brain cells during the day time and this damage is reduced during the sleep. Agreeing with the study findings, Indian neuroscientist says that this explains the several brain disorders caused by sleep deprivation.

“We have already known that sleep loss can lead to irreversible brain damage. Any sleep disturbance for longer durations will affect brain performance and will even lead to aging. Sleep leads to detox of brain i.e., removal of the brain’s waste so that it gets ready for more information the next day as it helps with ‘memory consolidation’. The findings of this study align with the concept of brain’s waste disposal system and thus it is highly likely that the DNA gets repaired in sleep,” said Dr Vikas Pareek, Senior research scholar, National Brain Research Centre.

DNA damage can be caused by many processes including radiation, oxidative stress, and even neuronal activity. DNA repair systems within each cell correct this damage. The study findings show that during wakefulness, DNA damage consistently accumulates and can reach unsafe levels. The role of sleep is to normalize the levels of DNA damage in every single neuron (brain cell).

Using 3D time-lapse imaging techniques in live zebrafish, the researchers were able to define sleep and show that single neurons require sleep in order to perform nuclear maintenance.

“Human brain can store only limited information before it requires rest. Without this sleep, there is a huge risk of losing memories as the brain does not get enough repair or rest time to take in more information. This study clears the foggy reasons on why the brain does not work properly in lack of sleep,” said Dr Ashutosh Kumar, Clinical Researcher, All India Institute of Medical Sciences.