How sleep loss alters brain function: New research published in Sleep

31 03 2026

A Polish-French team of researchers, including Patrycja Ściślewska from the Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Experimental Zoology, has published the results of a groundbreaking study on the effects of sleep deprivation on brain function in the prestigious journal Sleep.

The study provides new insights into how different forms of sleep loss affect the organization of the brain’s functional network. The findings demonstrate that a single night of total sleep deprivation and chronic sleep restriction represent two qualitatively distinct neurological states. The most pronounced differences were observed in three key brain systems: the default mode network, the frontoparietal network, and the cerebellum.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate brain activity under three conditions: after normal sleep, following one night of total sleep deprivation, and after five days of restricted sleep (chronic sleep restriction). A key strength of the study lies in the application of advanced computational approaches. The researchers conceptualized the brain as a complex network and analyzed its organization using graph theory and machine learning techniques.

In a well-rested state, the brain functions like a well-organized transportation network, with specialized “hubs” that integrate information and facilitate efficient communication. However, the study shows that sleep deprivation disrupts this balance.

After a single night without sleep, the brain undergoes rapid network reorganization. The most prominent changes were observed within the default mode network, a system associated with self-referential thinking, emotional processing, and mind-wandering. Key regions within this network were found to lose their dominant role, while other regions assumed their functions, potentially reflecting compensatory mechanisms.

In contrast, chronic sleep restriction led to a different pattern of changes, characterized by a more distributed and systematic reorganization. This involved the frontoparietal network, which is responsible for cognitive control, decision-making, and attention, as well as selected limbic regions associated with emotional regulation. Additionally, increased involvement of the cerebellum was observed, which may reflect a shift toward more automated processing at the expense of cognitive flexibility.

The results also indicate that individual biological traits, such as circadian rhythm, influence vulnerability to the effects of sleep disruption.

This study advances our understanding of brain function under conditions of sleep deficiency and opens new avenues for developing personalized strategies to mitigate the effects of sleep disturbances – both in everyday life and in professions requiring shift work.

We warmly congratulate you on these interesting results!

Link to the article: https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsag030