Hundreds of people sleep by the side of noisy roads typical in India’s largest cities. The same is true in other low-income countries. Researchers are now looking at whether or not a lack of sleep may actually be a root cause of poverty. Researchers are studying the real-world impact of chronic sleep deprivation, and the impact on how people make, and avoid, decisions. When people are tired, they don’t have the mental capacity to deal with some decisions and that can keep them from making good choices. Listen to hear more about how lack of sleep can affect learning and brain functions.