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Sleep-deprived kids are more likely to act recklessly

By Staff Writer

Individuals who do not get enough sleep may experience temporary feelings of heightened pleasure and euphoria, which can lead them to take risks that they normally would not, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

The researchers explained that throughout a night's rest, a person experience both rapid- and non-rapid eye movement phases of sleep. When these patterns are disrupted, an individual's brain may signal uncharacteristic changes in mood.

The scientists divided a group of 27 participants into two groups. Half of the subjects slept through the night, while members of the other set remained awake.

The results of a subsequent test showed that the exhausted individuals gave higher positive ratings to visual prompts of happy pictures than the rested participants. Furthermore, MRI scans observed higher levels of activity in the region of the sleep deprived subjects' brains that controls motivation, sex drive, addiction and decision making.

Therefore, young people who are confronted with decisions due to peer pressure may be more likely to conform to achieve satisfaction if they are not well rested.

Children who display behavioral problems may benefit from attending boarding schools for troubled youth, where the source of their negative actions may be addressed.

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