Recent Research Reveals Lasting Cognitive Deficits and Opens Doors to New Treatments Targeting Brain Development
A new study from the Graham Diering Lab at UNC School of Medicine provides critical insights into how early-life sleep disruption can impair brain development and increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research used mouse models to demonstrate that sleep loss during a critical developmental window led to long-term social deficits and cognitive impairments, especially in mice genetically predisposed to ASD. While adult mice compensated for lost sleep with a “sleep rebound,” young mice showed no such recovery, making them more vulnerable to the effects of sleep deprivation. Further molecular analysis revealed that early sleep disruption hindered synapse formation—essential for learning, memory, and neuron communication. These findings suggest that sleep disorders in early childhood may play a causative role in ASD and related conditions. The study underscores the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of sleep issues. It paves the way for new therapeutic approaches targeting synapses to improve sleep function in children with ASD, potentially reducing long-term developmental challenges.
