Scientists have shown relying on the sleep deprived-brain to perform well is potentially fraught with danger.
They found that even after sleep deprivation, people have periods of near normal brain function in which they can finish tasks quickly.
However, this is mixed with periods of slow response and severe drops in visual processing and attention.
The study, by Duke University and the National University of Singapore, appears in the Journal of Neuroscience.
The researchers said the findings had implications for people who have to struggle through night work, from long distance lorry drivers to on-call doctors.
Lead researcher Professor Michael Chee said: "The periods of apparently normal functioning could give a false sense of competency and security when, in fact, the brain's inconsistency could have dire consequences.
READ MORE @ BBC
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
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