Nisha Pandey

Could Poor Sleep Be One of the Earliest Signs of Alzheimer's Disease? Study Says Yes

Research suggests that disruptions in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which we dream, consolidate memory, and process emotions, could be among the earliest biological signs of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer's disease</a>.

Scientists now believe that changes in sleep are not just a consequence of Alzheimer's, but may actually appear years before primary cognitive symptoms emerge. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/scientists-identify-brain-protein-that-spreads-alzheimers-offering-hopes-for-slowing-down-its-progression-article-155144613" data-type="tilCustomLink">Scientists Discover Brain Protein That Could Slow Alzheimer's Disease Progression</a>

The study, published in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/alzheimers-drug-leqembi-may-help-over-75-of-patients-remain-stable-or-improve-real-world-study-article-155140481" data-type="tilCustomLink">Alzheimer's &amp; Dementia</a>, studied 128 older adults, including people with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and cognitively healthy individuals.

Participants underwent overnight polysomnography, the gold standard sleep test that records brain activity, breathing, heart rate, eye movements, and muscle activity during sleep. 

Researchers discovered that participants who took significantly longer to enter REM sleep, known as REM sleep latency, were more likely to have Alzheimer's disease.

<ul><li>Higher levels of amyloid-beta, the protein that forms plaques in Alzheimer's disease. </li><li>Increased tau protein, another hallmark of the disease that damages brain cells. </li><li>Lower levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for learning, memory, and maintaining healthy neurons.</li></ul>These findings suggest that delayed REM sleep may reflect early changes occurring in the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/10000-brain-scans-reveal-why-memory-declines-with-age-challenging-long-held-theory-article-155135705" data-type="tilCustomLink">Alzheimer's brain</a>, even before noticeable memory problems develop.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/can-one-partners-dementia-raise-the-others-risk-new-study-suggests-an-interesting-link-article-155148117" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can One Partner's Dementia Raise the Other's Risk? New Study Suggests An Interesting Link</a>

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-brain-day-how-poor-sleep-increases-the-risk-of-neurological-disorders-article-155149538" data-type="tilCustomLink">REM sleep</a> usually begins about 90 minutes after falling asleep and becomes longer with each sleep cycle. During this stage, the brain actively processes memories, regulates emotions, and strengthens neural connections.

Scientists believe REM sleep also supports the brain's "cleaning system," helping remove waste products that accumulate during the day.

When REM sleep is delayed or disrupted, this process may become less efficient, allowing toxic proteins like amyloid-beta to build up over time. 

According to Dr. Yue Leng, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco and one of the study's authors: "Delayed REM sleep may disrupt the brain's ability to consolidate memories by interfering with the process that converts recent experiences into long-term memories. If this is insufficient because REM sleep is delayed or shortened, it could increase the stress hormone cortisol. This may impair the brain's hippocampus, a critical structure for memory consolidation."

Commenting on the findings, Dr. Jocelyn Cheng, neurologist and Senior Director of Neuroscience Clinical Research at Eisai U.S., said:

"The relationship may be bidirectional. Delayed REM may contribute to Alzheimer's-type changes, and/or Alzheimer's itself may result in prolonged REM latency." 

Why Do We Yawn When Others Yawn? A Psychiatrist Explains the Science

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/could-splitting-sleep-into-two-periods-help-night-shift-workers-avoid-long-term-health-risks-new-review-suggests-article-155134196" data-type="tilCustomLink">Sleep disturbances</a> have long been recognized as common in Alzheimer's disease. Many patients experience insomnia, fragmented sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and "sundowning," a worsening of confusion and agitation during the evening.

The new findings offer a possible biological explanation. Researchers suggest that the accumulation of amyloid may interfere with the brain's internal clock and its ability to regulate normal sleep cycles, creating a vicious cycle where poor sleep accelerates brain changes linked to Alzheimer's. 

Researchers say future studies should examine whether improving REM sleep through better sleep hygiene or treatment of conditions such as sleep apnea could help slow or delay Alzheimer's-related brain changes.

Experts recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule, limiting alcohol before bedtime, reducing evening screen exposure, and seeking medical evaluation for persistent sleep disorders. 

Health Conditions A-Z

health

could-poor-sleep-be-one-of-the-earliest-signs-of-alzheimers-disease-study-says-yes

Alzheimer's Disease

neuroscience clinical research

alzheimers research

Alzheimers symptoms

michigan-cyclosporiasis-cases-top-6500-but-rfk-jr-says-outbreak-under-control

Michigan Cyclosporiasis Cases Top 6,500, But RFK Jr. Says Outbreak 'Under Control'

world-brain-day-climate-change-is-not-just-harming-the-planet-it-could-also-be-affecting-your-brain

World Brain Day: Climate Change Is Not Just Harming The Planet, It Could Also Be Affecting Your Brain

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Research suggests that disruptions in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which we dream, consolidate memory, and process emotions, could be among the earliest biological signs of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists now believe that changes in sleep are not just a consequence of Alzheimer's, but may actually appear years before primary cognitive symptoms emerge.  What The Study Found? Also read: Scientists Discover Brain Protein That Could Slow Alzheimer's Disease ProgressionThe study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, studied 128 older adults, including people with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and cognitively healthy individuals. Participants underwent overnight polysomnography, the gold standard sleep test that records brain activity, breathing, heart rate, eye movements, and muscle activity during sleep. Researchers discovered that participants who took significantly longer to enter REM sleep, known as REM sleep latency, were more likely to have Alzheimer's disease. These individuals also showed: Higher levels of amyloid-beta, the protein that forms plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Increased tau protein, another hallmark of the disease that damages brain cells. Lower levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for learning, memory, and maintaining healthy neurons.These findings suggest that delayed REM sleep may reflect early changes occurring in the Alzheimer's brain, even before noticeable memory problems develop. Importance Of REM Sleep Also read: Can One Partner's Dementia Raise the Other's Risk? New Study Suggests An Interesting Link REM sleep usually begins about 90 minutes after falling asleep and becomes longer with each sleep cycle. During this stage, the brain actively processes memories, regulates emotions, and strengthens neural connections. Scientists believe REM sleep also supports the brain's "cleaning system," helping remove waste products that accumulate during the day. When REM sleep is delayed or disrupted, this process may become less efficient, allowing toxic proteins like amyloid-beta to build up over time. According to Dr. Yue Leng, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco and one of the study's authors: "Delayed REM sleep may disrupt the brain's ability to consolidate memories by interfering with the process that converts recent experiences into long-term memories. If this is insufficient because REM sleep is delayed or shortened, it could increase the stress hormone cortisol. This may impair the brain's hippocampus, a critical structure for memory consolidation."Commenting on the findings, Dr. Jocelyn Cheng, neurologist and Senior Director of Neuroscience Clinical Research at Eisai U.S., said: "The relationship may be bidirectional. Delayed REM may contribute to Alzheimer's-type changes, and/or Alzheimer's itself may result in prolonged REM latency." Sleep Problems Appear Early       Sleep disturbances have long been recognized as common in Alzheimer's disease. Many patients experience insomnia, fragmented sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and "sundowning," a worsening of confusion and agitation during the evening. The new findings offer a possible biological explanation. Researchers suggest that the accumulation of amyloid may interfere with the brain's internal clock and its ability to regulate normal sleep cycles, creating a vicious cycle where poor sleep accelerates brain changes linked to Alzheimer's.  Researchers say future studies should examine whether improving REM sleep through better sleep hygiene or treatment of conditions such as sleep apnea could help slow or delay Alzheimer's-related brain changes. Experts recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule, limiting alcohol before bedtime, reducing evening screen exposure, and seeking medical evaluation for persistent sleep disorders. 

could poor sleep be one of the earliest signs of alzheimer's disease? study says yes

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

Could Poor Sleep Be One of the Earliest Signs of Alzheimer's Disease? Study Says Yes

Ebola Scare In The UK After Humanitarian Worker Monitored In London Hospital; Here's what Happened

Michigan Cyclosporiasis Cases Top 6,500, But RFK Jr. Says Outbreak 'Under Control'

Delhi High Court Questions Govt, ICMR Over HPV Vaccine Rollout, Issues Notice

Health Conditions A-Z

Could Poor Sleep Be One of the Earliest Signs of Alzheimer's Disease? Study Says Yes

Michigan Cyclosporiasis Cases Top 6,500, But RFK Jr. Says Outbreak 'Under Control'

World Brain Day: Climate Change Is Not Just Harming The Planet, It Could Also Be Affecting Your Brain