News in Brief Neuroscience

Food odors are more enticing to sleep-deprived brains

Activity boost seen in areas linked to olfaction

cinnamon role

SLEEPY SNACKING  The brain appears to have a heightened response to food smells when sleep deprived, new research suggests.

AH86/Shutterstock

By Laurel Hamers

- More than 2 years ago

SAN FRANCISCO — The nose knows when you’re tired.

Sleep deprivation seems to increase the brain’s sensitivity to food smells, researchers reported March 27 at the Cognitive Neuroscience Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco.