INA–Follow up
A recent study has found that certain unhealthy sleep patterns may contribute to accelerating brain deterioration and increasing the likelihood of developing dementia, reinforcing the importance of regular sleep as a factor in maintaining cognitive function with age.
Researchers analyzed data, brain scans, and questionnaires from more than 23,000 adults and older individuals to explore the relationship between different sleep habits and brain health.
The factors studied included daily sleep duration, daytime napping, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and snoring.
The results showed that all of these behaviors were associated, to varying degrees, with accelerated brain aging. However, three factors stood out as being most strongly linked to increased damage to the brain’s white matter: sleeping less or more than the recommended amount (7 to 9 hours per day), excessive daytime napping, and persistent insomnia.
The study’s lead researcher, Madeleine Alley, stated that sleep is a complex process, many aspects of which still require further understanding, particularly regarding its direct impact on brain health and function.
She explained that sleep plays vital roles, including repairing nerve cells, regulating memory, and eliminating waste and toxins that accumulate in the brain. She emphasized that improving sleep quality could be an effective way to reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life.
For his part, Dr. Samir Fahmy pointed out that good sleep depends not only on what a person does before going to bed but is also influenced by their overall daily routine.
He stressed that maintaining a regular lifestyle is key to improving sleep, advising people to wake up at a consistent time every day, get natural sunlight in the morning, and engage in physical activity during the afternoon or early evening.
He also recommended setting aside 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime for relaxation, including dimming the lights, avoiding electronic screens, and engaging in calming activities such as reading, stretching exercises, or meditation.