According to a new study, getting less than nine hours of sleep in a day leads to cognitive impairment, mental problems and less grey matter in brain regions.

As per a study published in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal, elementary school-age children who get less than nine hours of sleep per night have significant differences in certain brain regions responsible for memory, intelligence and well-being compared to those who get the recommended nine to 12 hours of sleep per night, according to a new study led by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers.

Such differences correlated with greater mental health problems, like depression, anxiety, and impulsive behaviors, in those who lacked sleep.

Inadequate sleep was also linked to cognitive difficulties with memory, problem-solving and decision making. The findings were published today in the journal. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children aged 6 to 12 years of age sleep 9 to 12 hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Up until now, no studies have examined the long-lasting impact of insufficient sleep on the neurocognitive development of pre-teens.