The effect of thirty-six hour total sleep deprivation on spatial cognition and alertness

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effect of total sleep deprivation (TSD) for 36 h on spatial cognitive ability and alertness in normal youth. Methods: Six healthy young men aged 22–26 were enrolled in this study. Mental rotation tests and KSS measurements were performed once every hour under 36 h TSD. Results: Accuracy of the mental rotation ability test first increases and then decreases during the day. KSS scores increase with TSD time in a 12-h cycle. Conclusion: Under the condition of total sleep deprivation for 36 h, the spatial cognitive ability of normal youth declines to a certain extent, and their own learning and proficiency greatly influences mental rotation test scores. Alertness of normal youth continued to decline over 36 h of TSD, and fatigue gradually increased.