A recent study highlights the importance of deep sleep in maintaining cognitive health, especially for those at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers from UC Berkeley, Stanford, and UC Irvine found that older adults with Alzheimer’s-linked brain changes performed better on memory tests when they received more deep sleep. This was true even when considering other factors like education and physical activity, which are known to support cognitive resilience, Science Alert reported.
The study, conducted in 2023, involved 62 cognitively healthy adults. It found that deep sleep, also known as non-rapid eye movement slow wave sleep, played a significant role in preserving memory function.
Those with higher levels of amyloid-beta deposits, a key protein associated with Alzheimer’s, showed improved memory when they had more deep sleep, suggesting that sleep could serve as a protective factor against cognitive decline.
The research, published in BMC Medicine, echoes earlier findings that poor sleep and the build-up of amyloid proteins are closely linked to Alzheimer’s. However, it’s challenging to determine whether disrupted sleep is a cause or consequence of the disease. While amyloid deposits are commonly used as markers of Alzheimer’s, they may not be the root cause of the condition.
Still, researchers like Matthew Walker, a neuroscientist at UC Berkeley, argue that good sleep can act as a “life raft” to prevent memory loss, even in individuals with Alzheimer’s-related brain changes.
In the study, participants who got more deep sleep were found to fare better cognitively, despite having high levels of amyloid-beta in their brains. This highlights the potential for sleep quality to mitigate the negative effects of brain pathology.
Although the study was small, it supports the idea that lifestyle factors, particularly sleep, can help buffer against cognitive decline, even in the presence of Alzheimer’s markers.
Researchers suggest that improving sleep quality, rather than relying on sleep medications, could be a more effective strategy. Sleep aids often promote shallow sleep, which may not provide the same cognitive benefits as deep sleep.
To improve sleep, experts recommend avoiding caffeine late in the day, getting regular exercise, limiting screen time before bed, and taking a warm shower to prepare for rest.
This study opens the door for further exploration into sleep as a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s, emphasizing the potential of natural sleep improvements in staving off the disease’s progression.
Written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.