Myu Lansky on Nostr: Autism, REM Sleep, and Brain Development: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle Recent ...
Autism, REM Sleep, and Brain Development: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Recent research has shown that many autistic individuals may experience a 30–50% reduction in REM sleep compared to neurotypical children. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep isn’t just when we dream—it’s also a critical period for brain development, especially in early life.
Why does this matter?
REM sleep plays a key role in synaptogenesis, the process by which the brain forms synapses—connections between neurons. These connections are essential for learning, memory, emotional regulation, and social processing. In early childhood, the brain is in overdrive, building millions of these synaptic links based on both genetic instructions and environmental experience.
If REM sleep is disrupted or deficient during this critical window, it can affect how and where synapses form, potentially altering the brain’s wiring in subtle but meaningful ways. An early REM sleep deficit could impact the quality and structure of synaptogenesis, shaping how the brain processes information, emotions, and social cues.
While autism is complex and influenced by many genetic and environmental factors, sleep—especially REM sleep—may be one underappreciated piece of the developmental puzzle. Understanding and addressing sleep differences in autism could open new doors for support, intervention, and empathy.
Published at
2025-05-03 11:26:15Event JSON
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"content": "Autism, REM Sleep, and Brain Development: A Missing Piece of the Puzzle\n\nRecent research has shown that many autistic individuals may experience a 30–50% reduction in REM sleep compared to neurotypical children. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep isn’t just when we dream—it’s also a critical period for brain development, especially in early life.\n\nWhy does this matter?\n\nREM sleep plays a key role in synaptogenesis, the process by which the brain forms synapses—connections between neurons. These connections are essential for learning, memory, emotional regulation, and social processing. In early childhood, the brain is in overdrive, building millions of these synaptic links based on both genetic instructions and environmental experience.\n\nIf REM sleep is disrupted or deficient during this critical window, it can affect how and where synapses form, potentially altering the brain’s wiring in subtle but meaningful ways. An early REM sleep deficit could impact the quality and structure of synaptogenesis, shaping how the brain processes information, emotions, and social cues.\n\nWhile autism is complex and influenced by many genetic and environmental factors, sleep—especially REM sleep—may be one underappreciated piece of the developmental puzzle. Understanding and addressing sleep differences in autism could open new doors for support, intervention, and empathy. https://image.nostr.build/310a6924413f958c97288cbf55a5dfa94249c70f40d6b799dd14f1cef9b71840.jpg ",
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