Scientists have identified structural changes in brain regions governing attention, decision-making and emotion among people with common sleep disorders, according to findings that may explain why disrupted sleep impairs everyday thinking and behaviour. The research, synthesised from 57 brain imaging studies, indicates that conditions such as insomnia and sleep apnoea are associated with measurable alterations in these areas. The analysis revealed both patterns shared across disorders and changes specific to individual conditions, suggesting the effects of poor sleep on the brain are more complex than previously understood.
The findings could inform the development of more targeted treatments, with researchers suggesting that therapies addressing particular brain changes may prove more effective than general approaches to sleep disturbance. Sleep disorders affect a substantial proportion of adults worldwide and have been linked to difficulties with concentration, emotional regulation and judgment. While the study establishes an association between disordered sleep and brain structure, further research is needed to determine whether these changes are reversible and how they develop over time. The research adds to growing evidence that sleep health is closely tied to cognitive and emotional wellbeing.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.