Healthcare providers, aviators, truckers, and workers on rotating shifts have likely all faced the effects of sleep deprivation, which can have a detrimental impact on their performance, safety, and overall well-being. However, a new blood test has been developed that can accurately determine if someone has been awake for
Lack of sleep has been linked to an increased risk of accidents on the road and in the workplace, posing a threat not only to the individual but also to others. Furthermore, it has been associated with various diseases. In today's society, sleep deprivation has become a common occurrence due to the demands of work, study, family responsibilities, and leisure activities.
While there are tools available that can measure pupillary response, slow eye closures, and microsleep to gauge sleep deprivation, their results can be influenced by other factors that are known to cause accidents, such as exposure to light and epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) levels. This is where the new blood test, developed by researchers from Monash University, comes into play.
Using a machine learning algorithm, the researchers identified a group of metabolites - substances produced when the body breaks down food, drugs, chemicals, or its own tissues - that were able to accurately predict sleep deprivation even after
The researchers believe that their test could be used in the future to identify sleep-deprived drivers quickly and accurately, or in safety-critical workplaces. They envision it being used similar to alcohol or drug tests for drivers. However, further research and testing are needed before this can become a reality.
At the moment, the test can only detect if someone has been awake for