Pijnacker, Robin (2021) The Connection between Sleep, Cognition and Synaptic Plasticity. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.
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Abstract
All organisms spend a substantial part of their lifetime sleeping. However, the function of this unconscious behaviour remains elusive. This review aims to elucidate the effect of sleep on cognitive behaviour and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of rodents. First, evidence is provided that shows a detrimental effect of sleep deprivation on the ability to learn. Since synaptic plasticity is regarded as the neural basis for learning and memory, the connection between synaptic plasticity and cognition is explained. An increase in dendritic spine number and density is associated with improved performance in learning and memory tasks. However, the effect of sleep on synaptic plasticity is still unknown. Two main theories are discussed: the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis, which states that sleep weakens synaptic strength, and the opposing hypothesis, which claims that synaptic strength is increased by sleep. Contradicting findings are examined and an attempt is made to explain the differences. Prior experiences are found to be an important component of sleep research, since the introduction of novel elements increases synaptic strength. Furthermore, the age of animals is of significance as well, since young adult animals have a higher elimination rate, which should not be mistaken for a downscaling effect of sleep. Lastly, emphasis is placed on the dynamic nature of sleep, as it should not be thought of as a uniform process.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis) |
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| Supervisor name: | Havekes, R. |
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Jun 2021 11:18 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Jun 2021 11:18 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/24813 |
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