New research sheds light on how sleep deficiency may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, with findings suggesting that reduced sleep during critical stages may lead to brain volume loss in regions susceptible to the disease.
The study highlights a correlation between lower proportions of slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep with smaller brain volumes, particularly in the inferior parietal region. This area is known for its early structural changes in Alzheimer’s disease. The findings remained significant after adjusting for various potential confounders, including demographic factors, smoking, alcohol use, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.
“Our research provides preliminary evidence that reduced neuroactivity during sleep might contribute to brain atrophy, potentially heightening the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Gawon Cho, the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral associate at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. “This is particularly important because it helps explain how sleep deficiency—a common issue among middle-aged and older adults—could play a role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline.”
Published on March 31 in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the study offers valuable insights into the relationship between sleep patterns and Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. The journal is the official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, is a degenerative brain condition and the leading cause of dementia. With an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older currently affected, this number is expected to double by 2060 unless significant medical breakthroughs in prevention, slowing, or curing the disease occur.
The study analyzed data from 270 participants, with a median age of 61 years, 53% of whom were female. All participants were white, and those with a history of stroke, probable dementia, or other major brain conditions were excluded from the analysis. Polysomnography was used to assess participants’ sleep architecture, while advanced brain imaging techniques measured brain volume 13 to 17 years later.
According to the study’s authors, the findings underscore the potential role of sleep in long-term brain health and highlight opportunities to reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk.
“Sleep architecture may be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,” Cho noted, emphasizing the potential to explore interventions aimed at reducing risk or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
While the study’s findings are significant, the researchers called for further investigation into the causal links between sleep architecture and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
You Might Be Interested In:
-
Simultaneous Screening for Hypertension and Arrhythmia Could Prevent Strokes
-
Eating Ultra-Processed Food Daily Increases Depression Risk in Older Adults
