Sleep: Evolution and Functions

This book discusses the evolution of sleep and its possible function in the higher invertebrates and vertebrates, including humans. It describes the current concept of sleep and its functions, based on research on the mammalian system. To date, electrophysiological recordings of the brain waves, muscle activity, and eye movements are the only tools available for characterizing the sleep architecture in the majority of animals. In mammals and birds, only two distinct types of sleep are found – non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Since the discovery of REM sleep, studies have been performed to understand the purpose of the two distinct sleep states in higher vertebrates (birds and mammals), and how REM sleep was evolved. The book summarizes the role of both REM and NREM sleep in the proper functioning of the brain and body. It covers various aspects of the role of sleep in important physiological processes, including memory consolidation, induction of synaptic plasticity, energy restoration, enhancing immune response, and maturation of neuronal circuitries during early life. Lastly, the book reviews the effects of chronic/acute sleep deprivation on memory consolidation, obesity, and the immune system in animal models and humans.

Dr. Vibha M. Jha is a sleep researcher who focuses on the functions of sleep, especially in learning and memory. She is the author of various research papers and review articles published in international and national journals. She has also contributed numerous chapters in books published by national and international publishers. Dr. Jha is a co-editor of the book “Sleep, Memory and Synaptic Plasticity,” published by Springer.

Dr. Jha obtained her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the School of Life Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. Later, she moved to the USA and joined the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Adrian Morrison at the Department of Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, UPenn. She returned to India in 2007 and continued her work with Dr. Morrison as an overseas Postdoctoral Fellow until 2010. She has been engaged in sleep research since 1999 and has contributed significantly to the field of sleep research.

She is also the recipient of several awards and medals, including the Dr. Ramji Narain Omvati Gold Medal in 1997 and 1999; and the University Gold Medal in 1997 and 1999  for her academic excellence during her biochemistry studies (both awarded by Panjab University, India).

Dr. Sushil K. Jha is an Associate Professor at the School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), India. He is currently investigating the neuronal and physiological aspects of sleep and the impact of its loss on overall mental and physical health. Dr. Jha has published several research papers and reviews in national and international journals. He has also contributed numerous chapters in books published by national and international publishers. He has appeared on Indian television and in newspapers to raise awareness of the importance of sleep for proper brain functioning.

He holds a Ph.D. from Hamdard University, New Delhi, India and worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associate at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. He has been serving at the School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, since 2007.

He is the recipient of several national and international awards, including the Prof. Baldev Singh Oration Award, 2015 (awarded by the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India); NASI Scopus Young Scientist Award, 2007 (awarded by Elsevier India); Young Investigator Award, 2006 (awarded by Sleep Research Society, USA); Faculty Career Development Award, 2005 (awarded by American Sleep Medicine Foundation, USA); Trainee Merit-Based Travel Award, 2004 (awarded by Sleep Research Society, USA); B.K. Anand Research Award, 2001 (awarded by the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India).