Role of Sleep in Imprinting Healthy Aging

Though several factors including malnutrition, substance abuse, alcohol consumption, stress, and smoking during pregnancy were identified risks for the development of the fetus, the role of sleep loss during pregnancy is now emerging as an important causative factor. It is a challenge to conduct sleep deprivation studies during pregnancy in human subjects due to ethical reasons. This article provides crucial evidences of the effects of sleep deprivation during pregnancy on the cognitive development of the offspring through controlled studies, carried out on the rodent model. Loss of sleep during late pregnancy of the mother caused derangement in the ontogenetic development of brain networks in the offspring. It not only produced distinct phenotypes of hyperactivity and depression but also affected their sleep-wakefulness. The role of sleep in imprinting the developmental programming of the brain requires attention to understand the mechanism of several neurocognitive disorders. It will help to find ways to reduce the disease burden and to help in meeting the healthy longevity challenge.