New Studies Identify the Neural Basis of Decision Making and How it is Affected by Lack of Sleep

For immediate release.

NEW STUDIES IDENTIFY THE NEURAL BASIS OF DECISION-MAKING AND HOW IT IS AFFECTED BY LACK OF SLEEP

Findings add to growing understanding of how the brain processes components of thousands of daily decisions

Washington, DC — New studies released today decode the brain mechanisms involved in changing one’s mind and sticking to one’s guns, and show how this process is affected by sleep deprivation. These studies were discussed along with other recently released findings about how humans and other animals make thousands of daily decisions, from simple choices about where to gaze, to social judgment about morality. The research was presented at Neuroscience 2008, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world’s largest source of emerging news about brain science and health. View full release.