A good night's sleep can also help people remember things better in the morning.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribu
Swiss scientists have discovered why rocking a baby helps get it to sleep. The motion synchronises neural activity in an area of the brain responsible for both sleep patterns and memory retention, according to a study by researchers in western Switzerland.
The findings could be used to treat sleep and memory disorders, say the universities of Geneva and Lausanne and the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG), which carried out the research.
In a controlled test, 18 healthy young adults spent two nights at the HUG Sleep Medicine Centre, once on a swaying bed and the other on a fixed position bed.
Polysomnographic recordings revealed that they enjoyed a longer, deeper sleep when rocked than when they were still, and fell asleep quicker. Continuous rocking helped the brain to synchronize neural activity in the thalamocortico-cortical networks, the study showed.
As this area of the brain is also connected to memory, scientists also conducted memory tests. After a night of swaying, the test subjects were better able to remember pairs of words that they had been given before falling asleep.
Tests on mice also showed a connection to the vestibular system, located in the inner ear, which manages balance and spatial orientation. Mice with non-functioning sensory receptors in the inner ear did not sleep as well, the study found.
“Vestibular sensory stimulation during rocking therefore acts on the neural networks responsible for the specific brain oscillations during sleep,” the scientists said in a statement.
To better identify the specific subcortical structures and neural networks affected by sleep rocking, researchers will now use other techniques, such as optogenetics, to observe and control specific neurons.
“Mapping the communication network between the two systems would make it possible to develop new approaches to treat patients suffering from insomnia, mood disorders, as well as elderly people, who often suffer from sleep and memory disorders,” the team said in a statement.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
This content was published on
A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.
More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
This content was published on
A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Swiss accident prevention group sees federal targets at risk
This content was published on
The Swiss government's target for accident figures is at risk, reckons Mario Cavegn, member of the executive board of the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.
Feminicide: Swiss justice minister calls for electronic monitoring
This content was published on
Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans has called for electronic monitoring and an ankle bracelet warning system for perpetrators of violence against women.
This content was published on
American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,
New statistical model to help search for alien life
This content was published on
Are we alone in the universe or does intelligent life exist out there? An EPFL researcher has come up with a novel approach to help solve this question.
Sick ants keep their distance to protect the colony
This content was published on
Ants, when infected with harmful pathogens, appear to alter their behaviour and avoid other colony members to lower the risk of contagion, a new Swiss-led study has found.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.