Brain implications of long-term sleep issues
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered a significant connection between chronic insomnia and accelerated brain aging, as well as cognitive decline in older adults. The research, published in the journal Neurology, involved over 2,700 participants aged around 70, tracked for nearly six years.
Professional societies recommend an average sleep duration of between seven and nine hours. Men typically require seven to eight hours, while women need an average of eight to nine hours. The study found that individuals with chronic insomnia, affecting over 16% of participants, had a 40% higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia compared to those without insomnia.
At the study's outset, participants were asked about their sleep patterns over the past two weeks. Those who reported getting less sleep than usual showed more signs of microvascular damage in the brain and more amyloid deposits. This increased risk is equivalent to an accelerated brain aging of 3.5 years.
Individuals who reported getting more sleep than usual, on the other hand, showed fewer signs of impairment in small brain vessels as seen in brain scans at the start of the study. During the study period, these individuals also had higher cognitive test scores.
The study's findings underscore the importance of treating chronic sleep deprivation, not just to improve sleep quality, but potentially to protect brain health in old age. People with the ApoE4 gene, a known risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease, showed a particularly strong decline in cognitive and memory performance when they reported getting less sleep than usual. Such deposits of a protein fragment between nerve cells are one of the main features of Alzheimer's disease.
The research suggests that sleep deprivation can affect the brain in various ways, impacting not only amyloid deposits but also small blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. Cognitive and memory tests were conducted annually on the participants, and some also underwent brain imaging.
The study adds to the growing body of evidence that sleep is not just about recovery, but also about the brain's resilience. The research was conducted by a group of scientists, but the specific lead researcher's name is not mentioned. The findings were reported in a study covered by Deutschlandfunk on September 13, 2025. The study, involving annual cognitive tests and brain MRI scans, was published in a scientific context highlighting the impact of chronic insomnia on dementia risk and brain aging.
It is important to note that occasional sleep disorders affect 25 to 30 percent of the population, more often in women than in men. Ten percent of the population is affected by chronic sleep disorder (insomnia).
In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence that chronic insomnia may be an early warning sign or factor for future cognitive problems. It emphasizes the need for further research into the relationship between sleep and brain health, and the importance of addressing sleep disorders in older adults to potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
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