Researchers from the UNC School of Medicine have uncovered a connection between sleep deprivation in early life and the increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), shedding light on how sleep impacts brain development.
A study led by Sean Gay, a graduate student in the lab of Dr. Graham Diering at the UNC School of Medicine, has revealed how sleep loss during critical periods of early brain development may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research outlines the crucial role sleep plays in the early stages of life, particularly in forming neuron connections, and how disruptions in this process can have long-lasting effects.
Sleep is essential from birth, as it supports the formation and strengthening of synapses—the connections between neurons responsible for learning, attention, and memory. When this process is disrupted, either through sleep deprivation or separation anxiety, the brain’s ability to develop properly can be hindered. According to the study, these disruptions in early life may contribute to developmental disorders like autism.
The Connection Between Sleep and Autism
Sleep problems are common in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disabilities. Notably, more than 80% of people with ASD experience sleep disruptions, though it remains unclear whether these disruptions are a cause or consequence of the disorder.
Dr. Graham Diering has studied the role of sleep in strengthening synapses over time, a process known as synaptic plasticity. His research has also explored how a lack of sleep contributes to cognitive and neurodegenerative disorders. In 2022, Diering’s lab focused on understanding whether early-life sleep disruption could interact with genetic factors to cause long-term changes in behavior. Using mouse models, the researchers found that sleep deprivation in the third week of life—similar to the age of one to two years in humans—caused long-lasting social behavior deficits in male mice genetically predisposed to ASD.
How Sleep Deprivation Impacts Brain Development
Further research from Diering’s lab examined how both adult and developing mice compensate for sleep loss, revealing stark differences between age groups. While adult mice managed to recover lost sleep by increasing rest during their active hours—a process known as “sleep rebound”—younger mice lacked this ability. This finding confirmed the researchers’ theory that younger mice are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of sleep deprivation.
The study also found that young mice, unlike adults, performed poorly on learning and memory tasks after sleep loss, suggesting that early-life sleep deprivation has a more significant impact on cognitive development. Through advanced molecular analysis, researchers observed that sleep deprivation in young mice strongly affected synapse formation, a critical component of brain development. These findings offer a detailed understanding of how sleep loss disrupts synaptic communication, which is essential for memory formation and overall brain function.
Future Therapeutic Approaches for Autism
Building on these insights, Diering’s lab aims to develop sleep-based treatments for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The goal is to create therapies that target synapse function rather than simply acting as sedatives. By focusing on restoring sleep function at the molecular level, these treatments could offer new ways to address sleep issues in children with ASD and other developmental conditions.
“Sleep is crucial throughout life, especially during early development,” said Dr. Diering. “Understanding how sleep deprivation affects synapse formation places greater emphasis on addressing sleep issues in autism. This research could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies to treat ASD and other related disorders.”
The findings highlight the importance of prioritizing sleep health, particularly in children, as it plays a critical role in brain development and may hold the key to preventing and managing neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.
