Sleep deprivation ‘can lead to immune system weakness’

A lack of sleep can make a person more susceptible to illness by suppressing their immune system, according to a new study.

The University of Washington research took blood samples from 11 pairs of identical twins with different sleep patterns. Identical twins were recruited to control for the large genetic determinant to humans' sleep duration, with genetics known to account for 31 to 55 percent of differences in sleep habits.

It was shown that the twin with the shorter sleep duration had a depressed immune system, with the lack of sleep shutting down biological processes involved in the immune response of circulating white blood cells.

This finding is consistent with previous studies that show sleep deprivation is linked to a lower antibody response in people who receive a vaccine, as well as the fact that sleep-deprived people exposed to rhinovirus are more likely to develop a disease.

Dr Nathaniel Watson, co-director of the University of Washington Medicine Sleep Center, said: "What we show is that the immune system functions best when it gets enough sleep. Seven or more hours of sleep is recommended for optimal health."

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