Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

The One Critical Thing You Should Do To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

The One Critical Thing You Should Do To Prevent Alzheimer's Disease.

Frequently experiencing <span>deep sleep</span> may help prevent the development of brain changes related to <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer's Disease</a></span>, the most common form of dementia.

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, <span>Stanford University</span>, and <span>UC Irvine</span> in the US have found that people experiencing early symptoms of Alzheimer's performed better on memory function tests as they got more deep sleep.

This sign was found to be independent of education and physical activity, two factors, along with social connection, known to contribute to cognitive resilience in older age.

Those with similar Alzheimer's-linked changes who failed to get as much deep sleep did not do as well on the same tests. By comparison, sleep made little difference to those individuals with few Alzheimer's-related deposits.

The results imply that a frequently being able to sleep deeply frequently could help support the memory decline that sets in as dementia begins to take hold.

<span>UC Berkeley</span> neuroscientist <span>Matthew Walker</span> said of the results: "Think of deep sleep almost like a life raft that keeps memory afloat, rather than memory getting dragged down by the weight of Alzheimer's disease pathology. 

"This is especially exciting because we can do something about it. There are ways we can improve sleep, even in older adults."

Previous research has also shown that poor sleep is both a risk factor for and a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, making it tricky for scientists to detect how sleep is linked to neurological damage.<h2></h2>

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.

Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.

Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, <span>unhealthy diet</span> and social isolation.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.

There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.

<h2>Can You Detect Alzheimer's Early On?</h2>The <span>US Food and Drug Administration</span> has approved the use of a blood test which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above.

The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”

FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

"Knowing that 10 percent of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."

It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Alzheimer's Disease

unhealthy diet

Deep sleep

matthew walker

us food and drug administration

uc irvine

uc berkeley

stanford university

AI Can Fast-track Better Diagnostics, Cure For Alzheimer’s, Says OpenAI’s Sam Altman

South Carolina’s Record Measles Outbreak Likely Over as US Cases Near 1,800

From Stress to Steatosis: How Modern Lifestyles Are Impacting Liver Health

Health & Wellness

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

Frequently experiencing deep sleep may help prevent the development of brain changes related to Alzheimer's Disease, the most common form of dementia.Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and UC Irvine in the US have found that people experiencing early symptoms of Alzheimer's performed better on memory function tests as they got more deep sleep.This sign was found to be independent of education and physical activity, two factors, along with social connection, known to contribute to cognitive resilience in older age.Those with similar Alzheimer's-linked changes who failed to get as much deep sleep did not do as well on the same tests. By comparison, sleep made little difference to those individuals with few Alzheimer's-related deposits.The results imply that a frequently being able to sleep deeply frequently could help support the memory decline that sets in as dementia begins to take hold.UC Berkeley neuroscientist Matthew Walker said of the results: "Think of deep sleep almost like a life raft that keeps memory afloat, rather than memory getting dragged down by the weight of Alzheimer's disease pathology. "This is especially exciting because we can do something about it. There are ways we can improve sleep, even in older adults."Previous research has also shown that poor sleep is both a risk factor for and a symptom of Alzheimer's disease, making it tricky for scientists to detect how sleep is linked to neurological damage.What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.Can You Detect Alzheimer's Early On?The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a blood test which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above.The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined."Knowing that 10 percent of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world.