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SLEEP
MEDICINE

The Impact of Sleep on Neurocognitive

Development in Children and Young Adults

By Tarak Patel, MD
S leep plays an important role in various aspects of health and well- with the neocortex during sleep to solidify memories.

being. Considering we spend almost a third of our life sleeping,
Having enough time in the different stages of sleep — Rapid Eye
we have a tendency to dismiss the profound impact of sleep dep-
rivation. When it comes to our children, we emphasize studying and Movement (REM) and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) — is im-
portant in memory processing. REM sleep is associated with emotional
tutoring for academic success rather than focusing on sufficient sleep. memory consolidation, while NREM sleep, especially slow-wave sleep
We underestimate the role sleep plays in our children’s neurocognitive (SWS), is crucial for declarative memory, which involves facts and
development, academic performance and mood. Instead of talking events. REM sleep also has been associated with creativity and insight.
about medical conditions related to pediatric sleep, I will focus on the Slow-wave sleep is associated with enhanced synaptic plasticity. Synap-
importance of a good night of sleep. tic plasticity, the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time,
is a key mechanism associated with learning and memory. This process
Age group Recommended amount of sleep is thought to contribute to the optimization of neural connections as-
3 to 5 years 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours, including naps sociated with learning.
6 to 12 years 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours Sleep is intricately linked to neurocognitive development, particu-
13 to 18 years 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours larly in children and adolescents. During sleep, the brain undergoes
Adults 7 or more hours a night critical processes essential for learning, memory consolidation and over-
all cognitive function. Inadequate sleep has been associated with im-
Sleep has an important role in our physiologic well-being. Insuffi- paired attention, memory deficits and reduced executive functioning
cient or poor-quality sleep has shown to affect every organ system in in both school-aged and college-aged individuals.
our body. The transition from high school to college often brings changes in
One of the primary functions of sleep is memory consolidation. Dur- sleep patterns, with many students experiencing disruptions due to ac-
ing the different stages of sleep, the brain processes and consolidates ademic, social and lifestyle factors. Sleep quality and quantity are closely
newly acquired information. The hippocampus works in conjunction tied to academic performance in college. Students who prioritize reg-

22 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • March 2024