Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Sleep, Learning, Brain Waste and PD

Sleep matters whether or not you have Parkinson's Disease.

ONE:  If you were to practice a complex motor skill like a golf swing (Scott D!), your ability to learn and retain that skill is enhanced considerably by sleep.  That is known.  And the research not only supports the right amount of sleep but also the importance of sleep quality (time in key stages).  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2527676/).  Further, the importance of sleep for making a new skill relatively permanent is also true for non-motor tasks (for example: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15979164). 

TWO:  The knowledge and theories about sleep are fascinating but outside my area of expertise.  I want you to watch this TED talk and consider for yourself how this understanding of sleep relates to helping your brain while it struggles with Parkinson's disease.  Sleep is critical for brain health and this does not change with PD. TED Talk: Jeff Iliff: One more reason to get a good night's sleep.

Have a restful night.  --ck