<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" Scientists have found that a brain cell called myelin is replenished in mice as they sleep, which could shed light on the biological reason that we need to rest every night. A team at the University of Wisconsin examined groups of rodents and their brain activity while they slept. It was found that the production rate of myelin-making cells known as immature oligodendrocytes doubled during this period, particularly at times of rapid eye movement rest. In contrast, genes involved with cell death and stress responses were switched on in mice that were kept awake. Myelin is an insulating material that protects the nerve cells in the brain. Since this is attacked by the immune system in patients with multiple sclerosis, it may be that the findings of Dr Chiara Cirelli - published in the Journal of Neuroscience - have important implications for this condition too. Earlier this month, scientists at Oxford University found that as many as half of British teenagers may be sleep-deprived. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a24314/sleep-found-to-replenish-brain-myelin/>