Abstract

Sleep is a mechanism that has intrigued humanity since ancient times, but the advent of science has enabled its understanding. However, contemporary society has been experiencing a time in which the quality and quantity of individual sleep hours have virtuously declined, while the establishment of a competitive incentive system increasingly emphasizes the development of cognitive functions. Therefore, this article aims to shed light on the relationship between the physiological aspects that govern sleep and the formation of memory in the learning process. Additionally, we will also discuss the organic resource of neural regeneration and how the nervous system develops means to repair its faults, maintaining the proper functioning and communication of its structures. In this sense, neuroplasticity has been identified as a key component in understanding the mechanisms that contribute to cognitive expansion. A literature review study was conducted based on articles found on platforms such as Scielo Brasil, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The main theme of these articles revolved around the study of sleep and its relationship with other explored neural resources. Our findings demonstrate the impact of sleep on the neurophysiological functions of the organism, particularly memory and learning, such that these aspects are compromised in deprivation scenarios. We also discussed how the neural plasticity mechanism is influenced by an individual’s sleep routine and habits. Consequently, there is a need for reflection on the lifestyle that has become imperative in contemporary times, as it is the main factor responsible for alterations in sleep physiology

Keywords

sleep, neurophysiology, neuronal plasticity, memory