Ever feel like you’ve been hit on the head after a bad night’s sleep? According to scientists, the thought isn’t as far-fetched as it seems. 

如果晚上没睡好，第二天会不会有种撞过头的感觉？据科学家研究，这种想法和实际情况相差不远。

A study found going without sleep for just one night causes changes in the brain similar to those that occur after a blow to the head. 

一项研究发现，即使只通宵一晚，对大脑造成的损伤足以抵得上对头部的一次重击。

The researchers said the healthy young men examined in the study showed a spike in the same chemicals which indicate brain damage. 

研究人员说，研究中接受检查的健康年轻人显示出一种会导致脑损伤的化学物质剧增。

Professor Christian Benedict, of Uppsala University, Sweden, explained that the chemcials NSE and S-100B are biomarkers for brain damage, such as concussion.

瑞典乌普萨拉大学克里斯蒂安·本尼迪克特教授解释说，化学物质NSE和S-100B是脑损伤（比如脑震荡）的生物标记。

He said: ‘What we found was their levels in the blood rose in the group that went without sleep for a night. This was not to the extent that would happen after a head injury, for instance, but it was still significant.

他说：“我们发现的是在一晚没睡的人群中，NSE和S-100B在血液中含量上升了。这虽然还不到一次头部外伤的程度，不过也很值得注意了。”

‘During sleep, the brain cleans itself of toxic substances and NSE and S-100B increase in response to these substances.’

“大脑通过睡眠来清除自身的有毒物质，NSE和S-100B则对这些物质做出反应”。

He said the findings back up previous research showing how the brain uses sleep to cleanse itself. 

他说这项研究支持了之前的研究结果，即大脑如何用睡眠来自我净化。

Professor Benedict also said his study could support previous studies which linked a lack of sleep with increased risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.

本尼迪克特教授还说，他的研究可以支持之前的研究，睡眠不足和阿兹海默、帕金森以及多发性硬化风险上升有关。

The rise of the chemicals in the blood after sleep loss may suggest not getting enough sleep is conducive to a loss of brain tissue, he explained.

他解释说，血液中的这些化学物质在睡眠缺乏后上升，暗示缺觉会导致脑组织损伤。

Professor Benedict, whose study is published in the journal Sleep, added: ‘In conclusion, the findings of our trial indicate a good night’s sleep may be critical for maintaining brain health.’

本尼迪克特教授的研究已经在杂志《睡眠》上发表，他补充说：“总之，我们的实验发现表明，一夜好眠对维持大脑健康来说是非常重要的。”

A third of the UK population suffer from sleep-related problems, while the average person now sleeps for only seven hours a night, compared with almost nine a few decades ago. 

英国三分之一人口有睡眠问题，现代人每晚平均睡眠时间是七个小时，而几十年前，差不多是九小时。

Many scientists believe irregular sleeping patterns lead to illnesses ranging from aches and pains to heart disease, while less than eight hours’ sleep a night can lower the IQ the next day.

一些科学家相信，不规律的睡眠可导致从头疼到心脏病等的各种疾病，不到八小时的睡眠会降低第二天的智商。