Sleep Deprivation Induces Genetic Change

  Identical twin studies reveal that habitual short sleep (chronic sleep deprivation) was associated with unique patterns of gene expression and pathway enrichment that affect immunity.
  Monozygotic (identical) twin studies allow assessment of environmental influences in these individuals that share genetics and a common environment when growing up.
  This study shows the effects of sleep deprivation on immune dysregulation indicating a potential link between it and adverse metabolic, cardiovascular and inflammatory outcomes.
Sleep 2017 Jan 1;40(1)

The Effect of Sleep Position on Glymphatic System Function

  Researchers at Stony Brook School of Medicine studied the effect of body posture on the glymphatic system transport in experimental animals. They found that amyloid clearance (good) and glymphatic transport were most efficient in the side-sleeping and back-sleeping position while the stomach-sleeping position (i.e., the most upright position mimicking awake posture) resulted in slower clearance.
  According to the authors, the right-sided sleep position was associated with efflux and influx...out through and in through the glymphatic system.
J Neurosci. 2015;35(31):11034-11044

Set Bedtime Good For Children's Brain

  Girls ...but not boys...that did not have a set regular bedtime at age 7 had significantly lower scores for reading, math, and spatial skills on standardized tests from UC London researchers.
  Non-regular bedtimes at age 3 were independently associated with lower cognitive skills at age 7 in BOTH girls and boys.
  The study suggests that when sleep is restricted or disrupted symptoms symptoms that reflect a reduced capacity for plastic change in the brain.
  The implication is that reduced or disrupted sleep , particularly if it occurs at key times in development, could have important impacts on health throughout life.
Y. Kelly,PhD Jrnl of Epidemiology and Community Health July 2013