Can Lack of Sleep Be Linked to Alzheimer’s?

Can Lack of Sleep Be Linked to Alzheimer’s?

Growing research suggests that not getting enough sleep at night may contribute to the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Sleep disorders have long been known to be a frequent occurrence among those suffering from AD, but how does sleep affect the development of it?

During a study conducted in 2009, researchers found that amyloid plaques associated with AD developed more rapidly in sleep-deprived mice. Four years later, Jeffery Iliff, a brain scientist at Oregon Health & Science in Portland, discovered that during deep sleep, clear cerebrospinal fluid enters and circulates through the brains of animals to help remove toxins, such as those that create amyloid plaques.

The fluid contains specific salt molecules that trigger a signal in MRI machines. This signal is strong in young and healthy brains and weaker in older brains.

Hopefully, with more advanced research and recently awarded grants, we will be able to find ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease from developing in older adults by monitoring and bettering their sleep.

To find out ways to improve your quality of sleep at night, please give out FusionSleep team a call to schedule a consultation. You may reach our team of certified sleep specialists by calling (678) 990-3962.