One Stage of Sleep Seems Critical For Reducing The Risk of Dementia
Research indicates that slow-wave sleep is critical for reducing dementia risk in older adults. A study in JAMA Neurology found that a 1 percent annual decrease in deep sleep for people over 60 correlates with a 27 percent higher risk of dementia. Other findings suggest sleep habits can influence how certain genes accelerate Alzheimer's disease.
What changed
New data specifies the precise impact of slow-wave sleep loss and the role of AQP4 gene variants on brain health.
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Deep Sleep Reduction Linked to Increased Dementia Risk
confidence 90%Research indicates that slow-wave sleep is critical for reducing dementia risk in older adults. A study in JAMA Neurology found that a 1 percent annual decrease in deep sleep for people over 60 correlates with a 27 percent higher risk of dementia. Other findings suggest sleep habits can influence how certain genes accelerate Alzheimer's disease.
What's confirmed:
- A 1 percent reduction in deep sleep per year for individuals over 60 is associated with a 27 percent increased risk of dementia.
- Deep sleep is referred to in clinical terms as slow-wave sleep.
- Insufficient slow-wave sleep as a person ages may increase the risk of developing dementia.
- Sleep habits and genes interact to influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Still unconfirmed:
- Prolonged sleep deprivation causes specialized immune cells in the brain to become hyperactive.