(Shahmika Agoon is a Naturopath, Nutritionist, Kinesiologist, Trauma Release Therapist, Autism Specialist, and Law of Attraction and Mindset Trainer–working at her 10, Harley Street Clinic in London and online)
Anecdote on Sleep Practices in America and Britain
Here is an anecdote contrasting America and Britain: Americans work tirelessly day and night to establish themselves, while the British seem to rest and effortlessly hold the world. In the UK, it is customary for children to be in bed by 7 p.m. and sleep soundly until 7 a.m. However, this practice is often not recognised or accepted in America and many other countries.
Impact of Insufficient Sleep on Youth
Many children and adolescents visiting me present with conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal tendencies, impostor syndrome, and mood swings—many of which are linked to insomnia or insufficient sleep. Often, these youngsters either sleep less than necessary or have disrupted sleep patterns, staying awake at night and sleeping during the day.
A Personal Case Study: Sleep and Cognitive Development
As an example, my son suffered from several issues, including autism and learning disabilities. He initially only slept briefly, for one hour and eighteen
minutes, which impacted his brain development. I managed his treatment, devising a protocol for the proper treatment of children with special needs, which included a routine of sleeping twice a night. It took time, but he gradually improved to sleep two continuous hours naturally and without medication. Once he began sleeping from 7 pm to 7 am, his speech improved, and his learning disability lessened. His cognitive abilities, understanding, and creativity flourished to the extent that he began writing books at nine, and by eleven, his works were published annually on Amazon.
The Role of Educational and Parental Influence on Sleep Habits
However, challenges arise if schools, teachers, and parents encourage children to sleep less. Parents often become upset when children prioritise sleep over homework or studies. In prestigious schools, the academic workload can prevent students from sleeping before midnight, leading to various cognitive and emotional issues due to sleep deprivation.
Connection Between Sleep Deprivation and Alzheimer’s
Extensive research underscores the critical role sleep plays in regulating brain function. A significant study focused on Alzheimer’s patients—a condition characterised by progressive memory loss—illustrates this relationship. Although Alzheimer’s historically affected older individuals, it’s increasingly detected in children and teenagers. Patients with Alzheimer’s develop amyloid plaques, essentially calcium deposits, in the prefrontal cortex. Over time, these accumulate in this brain region, responsible for processing information and mediating decision-making based on past, present, and future contexts. Memory resides here, and studies reveal that many Alzheimer’s patients had a habit of going to bed late, thereby disrupting the brain’s cleansing processes over the years. This sleep-driven cleansing system removes amyloid plaques and prevents their formation.
Circadian Rhythms and REM Sleep Cycles
I’ve also written about the relationship between circadian rhythms and sleep. Sleep should occur at night, ideally from 9 pm to 5 am. The brain’s cleansing occurs during the initial stages of sleep, particularly during the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) phase, which dominates the first 90 minutes of sleep,
starting naturally between 9 pm and 10:30 pm.
The Role of the NREM Sleep Cycle in Cognitive and Emotional Health
The second phase of Non-Rapid Eye Movement lasts from 10:30 pm to midnight, during which eye movement ceases. NREM sleep has three stages:
- Light sleep with minimal eye movement (2%-5%). 1 minute to 5 minutes. 2. A combination of light and deep sleep. (40% –50%). 10 minutes to 20 minutes
- Slow-wave deep sleep is crucial for memory and learning. (20% –30%). 20 minutes to 25 minutes.
Understanding the Complexity of Sleep Stages
Sleep cycles evolve post-midnight, with rapid eye movement (REM) and Non Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) contributing to balanced rest. These cycles stabilise from 12 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., shifting circadian rhythms. REM dominates from 1:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. and 3 a.m. to 5 a.m., where up to 80% is REM. During this phase, dreams occur, supporting emotional and cognitive development. REM accounts for about 25% of sleep.
Early Onset Alzheimer’s: A Growing Concern
Can children develop Alzheimer’s or memory issues? Until recently, Alzheimer’s and dementia were viewed as age-related illnesses. Yet, in recent years, even young individuals, like a 19-year-old diagnosed in China (2023) and a 23-year-old in 2018, have been affected.
Link Between Alzheimer’s, Learning Disabilities, and Sleep
Whether Alzheimer’s and learning disabilities in children are similar is insightful. Alzheimer’s leads to memory erosion, whereas learning disabilities reflect an underdeveloped ability to acquire information—often connected to insufficient deep sleep. Such sleep deprivation hinders proper brain formation.
The Importance of Proper Sleep for Brain Health in Children
I am focusing on primary learning disabilities here. In both Alzheimer’s and learning-disabled children, brain cleansing during sleep is impaired, damaging the brain. In Alzheimer’s, amyloid plaques accumulate, disrupting memory storage in the frontal cortex. Similarly, children with learning disabilities often show calcium deposits, suggesting premature development that affects learning capability.So brain can not develop properly.
Ensuring Adequate Sleep for Future Generations
This underscores the necessity for children to sleep before 9 pm. I previously detailed sleep’s interrelation with natural sleeping cycles. Modern lifestyle challenges, including late nights due to technology and academic pressure, disrupt children’s sleep cycles, hindering proper brain development.
For Gen Z and Alpha generations, inadequate or disrupted sleep is linked to stunted intellect and rising physical-mental issues. We must ensure they receive sufficient nighttime rest.
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