Jetlag May Harm Brain
June 13, 2001
A study published recently in the journal Nature Neuroscience found that fliers who regularly pass through multiple time zones may experience a decline in brain processing capabilities. Jetlag, normally thought of as a nuisance associated with long flights, occurs when long haul airline travel upsets the body's normal rhythms.
A study was conducted on twenty women between the ages of 22 and 28 who worked regularly on flights that pass through seven or more time zones. The researchers found that women given less of a recovery or "turn around" time had a portion of the brain, the temporal lobe, which was smaller than women given longer recovery times. The researchers found that this affected short-term memory and some basic cognitive functions. All the participants underwent a brain scan and a battery of memory and understanding tests.
The researchers admit that this is a small study and that further research must be conducted on this topic. The findings could potentially impact many fields where workers switch back and forth between working the day and night shifts, such as emergency medical workers, police officers and doctors.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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