For our brain, sleep is much more than just rest, because during this resting phase, connections between nerve cells are strengthened, reestablished or broken down. This phase is even more important for children whose brains are still developing. In the womb, babies sleep continuously and wakefulness is hormonally suppressed. The treatment and care of premature babies in hospital inevitably disrupts their sleep.
What effects does this impaired sleep have on brain development and can we minimize these disturbances in everyday hospital life? The first question is being investigated on a basic scientific level. At the same time, we are developing methods to measure the sleep of premature babies as inconspicuously as possible with the aim of adapting the clinical routine to the individual sleep phases of the children.
You will find this offer under the program item: Stand A14
Further information can be found on the website of the BioImageing working group of the Department of Neurology.
