瑞典科學家：缺覺等於頭部遭重擊

Ever feel like you’ve been hit on the head after a bad night’s sleep? According to scientists, the thought isn’t as far-fetched as it seems.
如果晚上沒睡好，第二天會不會有種撞過頭的感覺？據科學家研究，這種想法和實際情況相差不遠。

A study found going without sleep for just one night causes changes in the brain similar to those that occur after a blow to the head.
一項研究發現，即使只通宵一晚，對大腦造成的損傷足以抵得上對頭部的一次重擊。

The researchers said the healthy young men examined in the study showed a spike in the same chemicals which indicate brain damage.
研究人員說，研究中接受檢查的健康年輕人顯示出一種會導致腦損傷的化學物質劇增。

Professor Christian Benedict, of Uppsala University, Sweden, explained that the chemcials NSE and S-100B are biomarkers for brain damage, such as concussion.
瑞典烏普薩拉大學克里斯蒂安·本尼迪克特教授解釋說，化學物質NSE和S-100B是腦損傷（比如腦震盪）的生物標記。

He said: ‘What we found was their levels in the blood rose in the group that went without sleep for a night. This was not to the extent that would happen after a head injury, for instance, but it was still significant.
他說：“我們發現的是在一晚沒睡的人羣中，NSE和S-100B在血液中含量上升了。這雖然還不到一次頭部外傷的程度，不過也很值得注意了。”

‘During sleep, the brain cleans itself of toxic substances and NSE and S-100B increase in response to these substances.’
“大腦通過睡眠來清除自身的有毒物質，NSE和S-100B則對這些物質做出反應”。

He said the findings back up previous research showing how the brain uses sleep to cleanse itself.
他說這項研究支持了之前的研究結果，即大腦如何用睡眠來自我淨化。

Professor Benedict also said his study could support previous studies which linked a lack of sleep with increased risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.
本尼迪克特教授還說，他的研究可以支持之前的研究，睡眠不足和阿茲海默、帕金森以及多發性硬化風險上升有關。

The rise of the chemicals in the blood after sleep loss may suggest not getting enough sleep is conducive to a loss of brain tissue, he explained.
他解釋說，血液中的這些化學物質在睡眠缺乏後上升，暗示缺覺會導致腦組織損傷。

Professor Benedict, whose study is published in the journal Sleep, added: ‘In conclusion, the findings of our trial indicate a good night’s sleep may be critical for maintaining brain health.’
本尼迪克特教授的研究已經在雜誌《睡眠》上發表，他補充說：“總之，我們的實驗發現表明，一夜好眠對維持大腦健康來說是非常重要的。”

A third of the UK population suffer from sleep-related problems, while the average person now sleeps for only seven hours a night, compared with almost nine a few decades ago.
英國三分之一人口有睡眠問題，現代人每晚平均睡眠時間是七個小時，而幾十年前，差不多是九小時。

Many scientists believe irregular sleeping patterns lead to illnesses ranging from aches and pains to heart disease, while less than eight hours’ sleep a night can lower the IQ the next day.
一些科學家相信，不規律的睡眠可導致從頭疼到心臟病等的各種疾病，不到八小時的睡眠會降低第二天的智商。