A new study sheds light on the role sleep plays in the the ability of the brain's cells to grow and repair themselves.


The research, published in The Journal of Neuroscience[1] , was conducted in mice that were either allowed to sleep, or forced to stay awake. Researchers looked particularly at how sleep -- or lack thereof -- affected gene activity of cells called oligodendrocytes, which play a role in the production of myelin. Myelin covers brain and spinal cord nerve cell projections as a sort of "insulation"; researchers explained that it is integral to the movement of electrical impulses from cell to cell.


The study shows that sleep seems to turn on genes known to play a part in the formation of myelin. Meanwhile, lack of sleep was linked with the activation of genes associated with cell stress and death.


"For a long time, sleep researchers focused on how the activity of nerve cells differs when animals are awake versus when they are asleep," study researcher Chiara Cirelli, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, said in a statement. "Now it is clear that the way other supporting cells in the nervous system operate also changes significantly depending on whether the animal is asleep or awake."


Earlier this year, researchers from the University of Surrey and University College London found that sleep is also important to maintaining the health of our brain's neurons[2] , in that it allows the neurons to independently rest and repair themselves.


“If neurons attempt to obtain rest [3] while we are awake, it is not only much less efficient, but also affects our performance negatively," the researcher of that study, Vladyslav Vyazovskiy, who is a lecturer in Sleep and Chronobiology at the University of Surrey, said in a statement. "On the other hand, under certain conditions some areas of our brain may be unable to 'fall asleep' and remain in a 'local wakefulness' state, resulting in us experiencing a very bad night's sleep."



Also on HuffPost:




Loading Slideshow...



  • Start A Worry Journal


    Before you get into bed, spend 10 minutes or so writing down what's really troubling you in a journal or on a piece of paper -- anything from work and family concerns to some issue or question that's really bugging you, Ojile says. "The reality is that writing it down in a worry journal isn't going to solve the problem," he says. But what it can do is give you a place to put down your thoughts and let them go until tomorrow.




  • Take A Bath


    The benefits here are twofold. First, water tends to be soothing psychologically, Ojile says, which can help ease built-up stress from the day. But it can also benefit our sleep: The act of cooling the body, like that which happens when you get out of a warm tub, makes us feel tired. Don't want the fuss of taking a bath? Sipping a cup of warm, non-caffeinated green tea can trigger that same cooling response in the body, Ojile explains.




  • Say A Prayer (Or Meditate!)


    If your mom told you to say your prayers before bed, she was on to something. No matter what you believe in, the act itself can help quiet your brain. "In order to pray or to meditate in a very effective way, you've got to let go of those things in life that are the same ones that keep you from sleeping," Ojile says. Both prayer and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/15/7-fascinating-facts-about_n_899482.html#s309243&title=It_Makes_Your">meditation</a> can quiet the brain, which will ultimately keep you from tossing and turning in bed. And the act of repetition, like saying the rosary prayers in order, for instance, seems to be especially powerful, he adds.




  • Take A Walk


    While some might find that strenuous exercise too close to bedtime only makes sleep more elusive, taking a leisurely walk a couple of hours before turning in can actually help. "An evening walk is a really helpful to help get rid of some of those stresses and strains from the day," Ojile says. "You always feel better after a walk."




  • Relax Your Muscles


    One old-fashioned technique that can trigger sleep is called progressive muscle relaxation, which Ojile describes as almost a form of meditation and yoga. Here's how it works: Start down at your feet and work your way up the body, focusing on relaxing each part, one at a time. When you get to your core, take some deep breaths. "As you get to the deep breathing, you're by nature going to be ready for sleep," he says. "You're naturally feeling more calm and relaxed."




  • Cuddle Up


    Spending some time cuddling with a partner before bed stimulates the kind of emotions that are, by nature, calming, Ojile explains. And that means better sleep. Having sex can also help (we bet you won't say no to that assignment). "It may prevent sleep immediately," he says, "but ultimately it promotes sleep and relaxation.