Too little sleep in middle age linked to increased dementia risk

Sleeping six hours or less a night in your 50s and 60s is associated with an increased risk of dementia, according to a new study of nearly 8,000 UK adults followed for more than 25 years.

Scientists said that although the research, based on data from a long survey, could not prove cause and effect, it did draw a link between sleep and dementia as people get older.

The study, published in the journal Tuesday Nature communication, showed a higher risk of dementia in those who slept six or fewer hours a night at the age of 50 or 60, compared with those who had a “normal” seven hours in bed.

There was also a 30 percent increased risk of dementia in those with a short sleep pattern from the age of 50 to 70, regardless of cardiometabolic or mental health problems, which are known risk factors for dementia.

The study authors from the French national health research institute INSERM analyzed data from a long-term study from University College London, which followed the health of 7,959 British individuals since 1985.

Participants reported their sleep duration themselves, while about 3900 of them also wore watch devices overnight to confirm their estimates.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly ten million new cases of dementia worldwide, including Alzheimer’s disease, are counted worldwide, and sleep disturbance is a common symptom.

But growing research suggests that sleep patterns prior to the onset of dementia may also contribute to the development of the disease.

Bedtime is associated with dementia risk in older adults – 65 years and older – but according to the authors, it is unclear whether this relationship also applies to younger age groups.

They said that future research could possibly determine whether improving sleep patterns could help prevent dementia.

“Many of us have had a bad night’s sleep and probably know that it can affect our memory and thinking in the short term, but an interesting question is whether long-term sleep patterns can affect our risk of dementia,” said Sara Imarisio. said. , Alzheimer’s Research UK head of research told Science Media Center.

She said there is no magic bullet in preventing dementia, but evidence suggests that we can not smoke, drink moderately, stay mentally and physically active and eat well, which can help keep our brains healthy as we get older. .

© 2021 AFP