Hibernating Dwarf Lemurs Offer Clues to Space Travel, Longer Life

A new study has found that a species of lemurs can survive several months of winter in hibernation without actually sleeping. If we could attain a similar hibernating-state, then we could extend our lives and even undertake long space voyages.

The lemur studied in the research was the fat-tailed dwarf lemur, a species of lemur found in Madagascar that can hibernate for several months without sleeping. This is a physiological condition known as torpor.

Researchers at the Duke University found that during torpor, the lemur doesn't regulate its body temperature or slow its metabolism. The animals' heart rate during these long periods falls from 120 beats per minute to just six. Its body temperature also fluctuates wildly, more than 25 degrees.

Despite the physiological changes, the dwarf lemurs aren't exactly sleeping. Studies conducted on lemurs undergoing torpor and their non- torpor cousins showed that the dwarf lemurs in torpor had reduced metabolic activity without showing any signs of slow-wave, low-amplitude brain activity, which is linked with deep sleep, according to a news release.

By studying hibernation in lemurs, researchers may one day be able to make humans hibernate.

However, dwarf lemurs did have periods of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a phase related with dreaming. REM occurred only when winter temperatures rose above 25 degrees Celsius.

University of Duke researchers plan to travel back to Madagascar to study another small, hedgehog-like animal called tenrecs which is known to hibernate.