Sleep deprivation could promote the development of Alzheimer’s
A study reveals that people suffering from a lack of sleep increase their risk of suffering from dementia.
Disease still poorly understood, Alzheimer’s disease is regularly the subject of new studies. These aim both to find a treatment but also to diagnose potential risk factors. Recently, several studies have highlighted increased risks following prolonged exposure to smartphones or picking your nose.
But other factors such as our sleep habits would also have an impact on the development of the disease. In any case, this is confirmed by a recent study published in Brain Communications.
A confirmation valid in particular for those over 50
This is not the first time that a study linking poor sleep quality and Alzheimer’s disease has been published. Nevertheless, it marks a turning point. In fact, she is the first to involve a large panel of volunteers.
For this study, the researchers used more than 1,100 people over the age of 50. Another major peculiarity is that at the start of the study, they showed no signs of cognitive impairment. Then for several months, the scientists analyzed several elements in detail.
Among the most important, we find in particular the cognitive performance but also the quality of sleep of the participants. But researchers have noticed disturbing results in people sleeping less than 7 hours per night.
In these volunteers, lack of sleep resulted in higher levels of p-tau and t-tau proteins. However, these proteins make it possible to measure the risks of developing the disease when it is at the preclinical stage.
Do not neglect the quality and duration of sleep throughout your life
However, lack of sleep is not the only element influencing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Indeed, the researchers also found an increased risk in case of insomnia or sleep apnea. Snoring can also be aggravating factors.
It is therefore It is essential to sleep well throughout your life to limit the risks. Even if the study only concerns volunteers over the age of 50, poor sleep has consequences from a very young age. In children, this can impact learning abilities. In women, it can increase the risk of breast cancer.
But if the impact of sleep has an influence on the risk of Alzheimer’s, the researchers remain aware of the need for additional studies. According to them, “Future research is needed to test the effectiveness of preventive practices designed to improve sleep in the presymptomatic stages of the disease. »
