Hemispheric asymmetry in high-energy phosphate consumption during sleep-deprivation is balanced by creatine.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Secondary analysis of a non-randomized within-subject experimental crossover study
PubMed 40520504 · doi:10.3389/fnins.2025.1515761
What was done
Researchers performed a secondary voxel-wise analysis of previously published experimental data to investigate interhemispheric differences in high-energy phosphate consumption during 21 hours of subacute sleep deprivation with cognitive testing. In a second session, subjects received a single high dose of creatine monohydrate (0.35 g/kg) after baseline measurements to evaluate whether supplementation altered sleep deprivation-induced metabolic asymmetries in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the phosphocreatine-to-inorganic phosphate ratio (PCr/Pi).
What was found
Sleep deprivation led to a greater decrease in ATP from baseline in the right hemisphere compared to the left hemisphere. Partial volume correction indicated a higher decline of PCr/Pi in gray matter than in white matter. Creatine monohydrate supplementation balanced this hemispheric asymmetry, showing a greater effect in the left hemisphere via an increase in PCr/Pi and a decrease in ATP. The abstract reports directional outcomes only, without quantitative figures, effect sizes, or confidence intervals.
Why it matters
The findings provide preliminary metabolic evidence that the brain exhibits asymmetric energy consumption under sleep deprivation, consistent with nocturnal right-hemispheric hyperactivity. They also indicate that acute high-dose creatine supplementation may restore interhemispheric bioenergetic balance during prolonged wakefulness.
Limits
The abstract does not state the sample size, subject demographics, statistical values, effect sizes, or whether the experimental sessions were randomized, counterbalanced, or placebo-controlled. As a secondary re-analysis of a previous experimental protocol, prospective confirmation in larger controlled trials is necessary.
Cited by
- supports Brain MRI studies indicate that an acute dose of about 20 g of creatine shows an effect on the brain.