Too little sleep in middle age related to the increased risk of dementia

Sleeping six hours or less a night in the 1950s and 1960s is associated with an increased risk of dementia, according to a new study of almost 8,000 British adults, followed by more than 25 years.

The scientists said that although the research, which is based on data from a long-term survey, could not prove the cause and effect, it drew a link between sleep and dementia as people age.

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

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

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

Participants reported sleep on their own, while about 3,900 of them also wore overnight watch devices to confirm their estimates.

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

But a growing body of research suggests that sleep patterns before dementia may also contribute to the development of the disease.

The time spent sleeping is related to the risk of dementia in older adults – 65 years and over – but it is not clear whether this association is also valid for younger age groups, according to the authors.

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

“Many of us have experienced poor sleep and probably know that it can have an impact on our short-term memory and thinking, but an interesting question is whether long-term sleep patterns can affect our risk of dementia,” Sara Imarisio, A told the head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK for the Science Media Center.

She said that while there is no magic bullet to prevent dementia, the evidence suggests that not smoking, drinking in moderation, staying mentally and physically active, and eating well are among the things that can “help us stay fit. a healthy brain as we age. ”

© 2021 AFP