A new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience show that deep sleep is caused by a sleep promoting circuit located deep in the brainstem.

According to researchers from Harvard University and Buffalo University, this would be the second "sleep node" identified in a mammalian brain.

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Researchers said their study demonstrates that the half of the brain's sleep-promoting activity originates from the parafacial zone in the brainstem.

The brainstem is the primordial part of the brain that regulates the basic functions necessary for survival like breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature.

Caroline Bass, one of the researchers, said the close association of the sleep center with the other regions of the brain can highlight the evolutionary importance of sleep.

Researchers said that deep sleep is caused by the parafacial zone that creates the Neurotransmitter Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid or GABA.

Christelle Ancelet, another researcher involved in the study, said the molecular approach allows control over the functions of the brain.

She said researchers previously often used electrical stimulation to activate a region of a brain that stimulates the electrodes.

Researchers put a virus into the parafacial zone of their animal subject that didn't alter the brain function but added a designer receptor to the GABA neurons.

When the GABA neurons in the PZ were turned on, however, the animals fell into deep slumber without the use of a sedative.

Researchers believe their findings could be used to develop effective medications for treating sleep disorders.

They also said their findings can answer fundamental questions about the function of the brain normally beyond their reach.