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Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) have investigated how sleep deprivation influences memory control. Their study sheds new light on the cognitive and neural mechanisms linking sleeping time and mental health. The findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
A World in Sleep Crisis
Sleeping problems are increasingly common worldwide. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 72% of adults are sleeping less than the recommended seven hours per night—a trend that has worsened over time. Moreover, in a 2024 global survey, only 13% of respondents reported sleeping well every night. Among women in premenopause and menopause, 56% reported sleeping difficulties. Researchers have termed this “a world in sleep crisis”.
These statistics highlight an urgent public health challenge. Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with numerous cognitive impairments. It lowers mood, increases anxiety, causes emotional instability, and heightens the risk of mental disorders. Consequently, researchers worldwide are studying the mechanisms underlying sleep difficulties, including trouble falling asleep, nighttime awakenings, and strategies to improve sleep quality.
The Impact of Sleep on Memory and Emotions
In the UEA study, researchers examined 85 healthy adults, dividing them into two groups. One group slept through the night in a laboratory setting, while the other stayed awake. Participants were then tasked with suppressing negative memories while undergoing functional MRI (fMRI) scans to monitor brain activity.
The scans revealed that individuals who stayed awake all night exhibited reduced activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—a brain region critical for cognitive control, such as managing negative emotions, suppressing unwanted memories, and making complex social decisions. These participants also showed decreased hippocampal activity, a region essential for memory consolidation. In contrast, well-rested participants demonstrated higher activity in these brain areas.
Given that memories play a central role in our affective perception of the external world, memory control failures may go a long way towards explaining the relationship between sleep loss and emotional dysregulation.
Dr. Marcus Harrington, a lead author and a Lecturer in UEA’s School of Psychology
The study further highlighted the importance of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Participants who spent more time in the REM phase exhibited better prefrontal cortex activation when suppressing unwanted memories.
Key Findings and Implications
Dr. Harrington, emphasized the critical role of sleep in maintaining control over both memories and current thoughts. Enhancing global sleep quality through public awareness, medical interventions, and lifestyle changes could help millions lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
A better understanding of the mechanisms that precipitate the occurrence of intrusive memories is vital to improving emotional wellbeing and reducing the global burden of mental illness.
Dr. Marcus Harrington
