Overview
- Scientists studied Cassiopea andromeda and Nematostella vectensis, defining sleep with infrared tracking, inactivity thresholds, reduced responsiveness, and rebound after deprivation.
- Neuronal DNA damage accumulated during wakefulness and increased with sleep loss, then declined during sleep and subsequent recovery periods.
- Experimental UV exposure or a DNA-damaging chemical elevated damage and prompted rebound sleep in both species.
- Despite differing daily rhythms, both animals rested for roughly eight hours per day in field and laboratory observations.
- Melatonin administration increased rest during normally active phases and reduced DNA damage during those periods.