New Study Links Sleep Problems to Increased Dementia Risk

A recent study published in Neurology has found that older adults who experience excessive daytime sleepiness or lack enthusiasm for daily activities are at a significantly higher risk of developing motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a pre-dementia condition. The findings emphasize the importance of sleep screenings to potentially prevent cognitive decline later in life.

Nov 9, 2024 - 19:09
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New Study Links Sleep Problems to Increased Dementia Risk

According to new research published in Neurology, older adults who often feel excessively sleepy during the day or lose interest in regular activities might be at greater risk of developing a condition that could eventually lead to dementia. This condition, known as motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), is marked by slow walking and some cognitive complaints, yet these individuals aren’t diagnosed with dementia or any specific walking disability.

The study’s findings reveal a notable difference between those with and without sleep-related issues. Among the participants who reported feeling overly drowsy and lacking enthusiasm, 35.5% developed MCR, compared to only 6.7% of those without such complaints. Researchers also observed that, even after adjusting for factors like age and depression, individuals with daytime sleepiness and diminished enthusiasm were over three times as likely to develop MCR compared to those without these sleep-related issues.

“Our findings emphasize the importance of screening for sleep disturbances,” said Dr. Victoire Leroy, lead researcher from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. “By addressing sleep problems, we may help prevent cognitive decline later in life.”

The study involved 445 participants, all around 76 years old and without dementia. Researchers asked them to fill out detailed questionnaires about their sleep and memory habits and tested their walking speeds regularly using treadmills. The questionnaires asked participants if they often wake up at night, struggle to fall asleep within 30 minutes, feel too hot or cold in bed, or take any sleep medications. To measure daytime sleepiness, participants were asked how often they have trouble staying awake during everyday activities, like driving, eating, or socialising. Enthusiasm levels were also assessed to see if participants felt motivated to complete daily tasks.

Out of the participants, 177 were classified as poor sleepers, and 268 as good sleepers. At the start of the study, 42 people had MCR, with 36 more developing the condition during the research period.

While this study highlights an association between sleep problems and MCR, it doesn’t prove a direct cause. Additionally, one limitation was that participants assessed their own sleep habits, which may not always be entirely accurate.

Sources:

  • Neurology: "Association of Sleep Disturbances With Prevalent and Incident Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome in Community-Residing Older Adults."
  • Eureka: "Sleepiness during the day may be tied to pre-dementia syndrome."

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