A lack of sleep 'damages the brain in a similar way to being hit on the head' The study results confirm the importance of a good night's sleep Researchers say the findings support previous research showing the brain requires sleep to cleanse itself of toxic substances A lack of sleep is associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and MS Going without sleep damages the brain in a similar way to being hit on the head. Healthy young men deprived of just one nightâ€™s sleep experienced a spike in the same chemicals that result from an injury, researchers found. The results of the study confirm how important a good nightâ€™s sleep is to a healthy life, they say. Being sleep deprived causes a similar change in the brain to that seen after a head injury - it results in a spike in the chemicals associated with brain injury Scientists say the findings back previous research showing the brain uses sleep to clean itself of toxic substances. Professor Christian Benedict, of Uppsala University, Sweden, said the molecules NSE and S-100B are not poisonous in themselves - but are biomarkers for brain damage. He said: â€˜NSE is a neuronal enzyme and S-100B is a protein found in the cells of the central nervous system. What we found was their levels in the blood rose in the group that went without sleep for a night. â€˜This was not to the extent that would happen after a head injury, for instance, but it was still significant. During sleep, the brain cleans itself of toxic substances and NSE and S-100B increase in response to these.â€™ Professor Benedict said lack of sleep has been linked with increased risk of Alzheimerâ€™s disease, Parkinsonâ€™s disease and multiple sclerosis and this could add to the evidence. He said the rise of NSE (neuron specific enolase) and S-100B (S100 calcium binding protein B) in blood after sleep loss may suggest a lack of snoozing is conducive to a loss of brain tissue. The brain requires sleep to cleanse itself of toxic substances. A lack of sleep is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's But the study published in SLEEP, and funded by the Swedish Brain Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation, was small and further research involving more people, including women, is now needed, added Professor Benedict. A group of 15 men took part in the study during which they went one night without any sleep and another with eight hours sleep. Professor Benedict said: â€˜We observed a night of total sleep loss was followed by increased blood concentrations of NSE and S-100B. â€˜These brain molecules typically rise in blood under conditions of brain damage. Thus, our results indicate a lack of sleep may promote neurodegenerative processes. â€˜In conclusion, the findings of our trial indicate a good nightâ€™s sleep may be critical for maintaining brain health.â€™ A third of the UK population suffer from sleep related problems and studies have shown we are all getting far less sleep than we used to. The average person now sleeps for seven hours a night, compared with almost nine a few decades ago. Many scientists believe irregular sleeping patterns lead to illnesses, ranging from aches and pains to heart disease. Less than eight hoursâ€™ sleep a night can lower IQ the next day, while working night shifts increases the risk of diabetes, ulcers and divorce. As well as the effect on health, marriages in which one partner works nights are up to six times more likely to end in divorce.