Your teenager’s sleeping patterns might influence how their brain operates, as per recent studies from the University of Georgia. A deficiency in quality sleep could increase the likelihood of children developing behavioral issues in the future.

The research revealed that teenagers who received inadequate sleep exhibited reduced connectivity among the brain regions vital for decision making, self-reflection, and information processing. Impairments in these areas are also associated with mental disorders such as depression, ADHD, and schizophrenia.

The youngsters with diminished brain connectivity in this area were more prone to display behavioral challenges such as acting out, poor impulse regulation, and aggression.

“Rest is not only beneficial for children. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining their mental well-being and aids in emotional regulation,” stated Assaf Oshri, the principal investigator of the research and a professor at the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Oshri is also the director of the UGA Georgia Center for Developmental Science.

“This study indicates that sleep duration and efficiency are correlated with specific patterns of brain network connectivity that might predict problematic behaviors.”

The research implies that measures aimed at enhancing sleep among teenagers could aid in preventing conduct issues in the future.

Boys and minority youths at higher risk for behavioral problems due to insufficient sleep

The investigators based their findings on data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study, which stands as the largest longitudinal study focused on brain development and child health in the United States.

The current study tracked over 2,800 teenagers, utilizing Fitbits to accurately monitor their sleep quality and duration over an average span of two weeks. The researchers compared this information with MRIs of the same adolescents. The imaging revealed specific connectivity patterns among different brain regions.

The parents of the children also provided feedback on problem behaviors during the second and third years of the study.

Boys, older adolescents, and children from minority backgrounds generally experienced shorter durations of sleep. Moreover, boys and minority youths were observed to display more problem behaviors in the latter years of the study.

Adolescence is a crucial phase for brain development

The outcomes of the study indicate that frequent nights of inadequate sleep can accumulate and exacerbate effects over time.

“Adolescence represents a highly significant stage for brain maturation,” remarked Linhao Zhang, the lead author of the study and a recent doctoral graduate from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “And adequate sleep is essential for brain development. However, many adolescents are not obtaining sufficient quality sleep nightly.”

This lack of quality rest can hinder children’s ability to regulate their emotions and manage their impulses effectively.

“The manner in which adolescents sleep impacts their brain functioning, which in turn affects their mental health outcomes,” Zhang stated. “It’s not solely about the duration of sleep. It’s about the quality. Did you take a long time to drift off? Did you awaken during the night?”

Published in Brain and Behavior, the study included contributions from Charles Geier, a professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science and associate director of the Georgia Center for Developmental Science, along with Dr. Ellen House, an associate professor of psychiatry affiliated with the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership.

The article Lack of sleep disrupts key brain functions in adolescents was originally featured on UGA Today.