Function of Sleep Using Molecular and Genetic Approaches
Departemental Phone: (608) 263-0491 All animal species studied
so far spend a large portion of their life asleep, even if doing
so is potentially dangerous. The amount and quality of sleep are
tightly regulated - sleep pressure increases the longer one
stays awake, and becomes overwhelming after prolonged sleep
deprivation. Sleep loss leads to cognitive impairment and, if
prolonged for several weeks, to death. Thus, sleep appears to
fulfill some fundamental function, but what this function may be
remains unknown. Understanding the function of sleep and
clarifying the functional consequences of sleep loss are not
just issues of theoretical interest: the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration estimates conservatively that each
year drowsy driving is responsible for at least 100,000
automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities
(National Sleep Foundation, 2002). Current pharmacological
attempts at reducing the need for sleep or at makin