According to a new study that unveiled a new theory on how sleep works, Calcium may help in good night’s sleep. It is known for long time that it has a good effect on our bones.

The study revealed that sleep depends much on the calcium activity inside neurons. It even revealed that a calcium ion-regulated mechanism is responsible for controlling the duration of the sleep.

Published in the journal Neuron, the study contributes to the treatment and understanding of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea as well as other associated neuro-degenerative diseases.

The amount of sleep required gets reduced over a life time in both humans and animals.

Sleep helps body in recovering from the daily life effects like removal of waste products from the brain, restoration of immune system.

Sleep uses the time to process experiences besides laying down long-term memories.

The fundamental reasons behind sleep and the mechanisms which determines the sleep is largely not known.

Corresponding author Hiroki Ued said that, "Although sleep is a fundamental physiologic function, its mechanism is still a mystery." Ueda is from the University of Tokyo in Japan.

A computational model of sleep was developed by the team.

It identified seven genes causing mice to stay awake or helps in falling asleep.

The predictions were testes against 21 different genetically modified mouse types.

Seven out of 21 exhibited significant changes in the duration of sleep.

The team identified that the calcium ion inflow into neurons is needed for mic to go to sleep.

Pumping up of calcium ions was required to wake up.

Ueda said,"Sleep is one of the most fundamental physiological functions. From flies to humans, it seems that most animals sleep, but we still know so little about the molecular processes by which sleep duration is regulated.”

- Sumana