March 29, 2024

Alzheimer’s Disease and Daytime Napping Linked in New Research

When the study began, more than 75% of participants revealed no indications of any cognitive impairment, 19.5% had mild cognitive problems, and a little more than 4% had Alzheimers illness dementia. Naps doubled after a diagnosis of mild cognitive disability, and almost tripled after a medical diagnosis of Alzheimers disease dementia.
Alzheimers disease is triggered by the build-up of 2 proteins, amyloid beta and tau, within the brain. While the decrease in cognitive function is the most popular sign of Alzheimers disease, this protein build-up can occur in numerous locations of the brain, brainstem, and spinal cable, triggering a variety of symptoms. The research study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the BrightFocus Foundation Alzheimers Research Program.

Reference: “Daytime napping and Alzheimers dementia: A potential bidirectional relationship” by Peng Li, Lei Gao, Lei Yu, Xi Zheng, Ma Cherrysse Ulsa, Hui-Wen Yang, Arlen Gaba, Kristine Yaffe, David A. Bennett, Aron S. Buchman, Kun Hu and Yue Leng, 17 March 2022, Alzheimers & & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimers Association.DOI: 10.1002/ alz.12636.

” We now know that the pathology associated to cognitive decline can cause other modifications in function,” he said. “Its actually a multi-system disorder, likewise consisting of difficulty sleeping, modifications in movement, modifications in body composition, depression symptoms, behavioral changes, and so on”.
Researchers followed more than 1,400 patients for approximately 14 years as part of the Rush Memory and Aging Project and the Religious Order Study. Participants used a wrist-worn sensing unit that tape-recorded activity continuously for approximately 10 days, and can be found in once a year for assessments and cognitive testing. Any extended duration of no activity during the daytime from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. was considered a nap..
When the study started, more than 75% of participants revealed no indications of any cognitive disability, 19.5% had moderate cognitive problems, and somewhat more than 4% had Alzheimers illness dementia. Daily sleeping increased by about 11 minutes annually among those who didnt develop cognitive impairment during follow-up. Naps doubled after a medical diagnosis of mild cognitive problems, and almost tripled after a diagnosis of Alzheimers illness dementia.
Scientists also compared participants who had normal cognition at the start of the study but developed Alzheimers disease dementia to their counterparts whose thinking stayed steady throughout the study. They discovered that older people who napped more than an hour a day had a 40% higher threat of establishing Alzheimers..
Buchman stressed that the research study does not indicate that taking a snooze causes Alzheimers dementia, or vice versa.
” This is an observational study, so we cant say that a causes b,” he stated. “But we can state that they unfold at the exact same time, and its possible that the exact same pathologies might add to both.”.
Alzheimers illness is caused by the accumulation of 2 proteins, amyloid beta and tau, within the brain. While the decrease in cognitive function is the most well-known symptom of Alzheimers illness, this protein build-up can take place in numerous places of the brain, brainstem, and spine cord, triggering a range of symptoms. The research study shows that increases in the frequency and duration of daytime napping might be among those signs.
” Once youve identified the pathology and area, you can work on potential treatments,” Buchman stated. “There are proteins or genes that may prevent the accumulation of tau and beta, or theres potentially ways to mitigate or slow their accumulation.”.
The research study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the BrightFocus Foundation Alzheimers Research Program. Buchman said that one of the research studys primary strengths was its individual accomplices from the Memory and Aging Project and the Religious Order Study. Both studies are decades-long efforts that hire individuals to go through yearly testing, sample collection, and organ donation after their death..
” The people in our research studies are really unique people,” he stated. “Without individuals making this type of contribution, we would not have the ability to do the research that we do. They are so excited to be able to take part, they animate the staff with their participation. Were very lucky to have them.”.
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New research from the Rush Alzheimers Disease Center recommends a possible link in between cognitive deterioration and extreme daytime napping.
Longer and more frequent napping was correlated with worse cognition.
Could there be a connection in between cognitive decline and excessive daytime napping? New research from the Rush Alzheimers Disease Center recommends a possible link, according to an article released just recently in Alzheimers and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimers Association.
According to the researchers, the connection appears to happen in both directions; longer and more frequent napping was associated with even worse cognition after one year, and worse cognition was correlated with longer and more frequent naps after one year.
Aron Buchman, MD, a neurologist at Rush University Medical Center and co-author of the article, stated the research study lends evidence to the changing views of Alzheimers illness as a purely cognitive disorder.