Alzheimer's risk could rise with specific sleep pattern, experts warn
The research from China, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia by the Alzheimer's Association, analyzed the sleep cycles of 128 adults in varying states of cognition.
Advertisement
The study found that the highest occurrence of REM latency — which is when it takes longer for someone to reach the first REM period after drifting off to sleep — was associated with the highest risk of Alzheimer's.
The researchers concluded that prolonged REM latency may serve as a 'novel marker of risk factor' for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Dr. Wendy Troxel, senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation in California, said this study adds to 'growing evidence' that specific sleep features, like prolonged REM sleep, are linked to Alzheimer's biomarkers.
'REM sleep is the stage of sleep when dreams mostly occur, and is critically important for memory consolidation and emotional processing,' Utah-based Troxel, who is also author of 'Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep,' told Fox News Digital.
Advertisement
This new research aligns with findings from Troxel's own lab, which have shown that other signs of poor sleep health — like shorter duration and poor quality — are associated with worse cognitive function.
'Sleep disruptions may contribute to the buildup of amyloid and tau proteins, key features of Alzheimer's pathology,' the sleep expert said.
5 A new study has found a link between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and Alzheimer's disease.
amenic181 – stock.adobe.com
'But it's also important to note that the Alzheimer's disease process itself can disrupt sleep, suggesting a bidirectional association between sleep problems and cognitive decline.'
Advertisement
Dr. Giulio Taglialatela, vice president and research institute director of the Brain Health Institute at the University of Texas Medical Branch, reacted to these findings in a separate interview with Fox News Digital.
Taglialatela said it's been 'long understood' that getting a good night's sleep is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia.
'Our brains use sleep to clear out toxic proteins, like those associated with Alzheimer's, and these results show that the cleaning mechanism is less effective when it takes someone longer to enter the REM cycle,' he noted.
5 The study found that the highest occurrence of REM latency was associated with the highest risk of Alzheimer's.
Rawpixel.com – stock.adobe.com
Advertisement
'Unfortunately, there is nothing an individual can do to control how long it takes to enter REM sleep,' the expert.'
However, the expert said, the findings provide a 'promising avenue' for predicting the likelihood of someone eventually developing dementia.
'Early intervention in Alzheimer's is essential for delaying its progression, and measuring REM sleep could be a marker to indicate who may be a candidate for treatment even before they start to show impaired cognitive function,' Taglialatela said.
Potential limitations
5 'Our brains use sleep to clear out toxic proteins, like those associated with Alzheimer's, and these results show that the cleaning mechanism is less effective when it takes someone longer to enter the REM cycle,' Dr. Giulio Taglialatela noted.
sudok1 – stock.adobe.com
The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged – primarily that it was cross-sectional, 'and thus the direction of the association cannot be determined.'
The sample size was also relatively small, and the researchers only focused on one specific type of tau protein.
There is also the possibility that monitoring sleep in a clinical setting may introduce 'environmental disturbances,' impacting sleep measurement accuracy, the researchers noted. 'Future studies will benefit from research in real-world home settings,' they wrote.
Tips for sleep improvements
5 The study did have some limitations, the researchers acknowledged – primarily that it was cross-sectional, 'and thus the direction of the association cannot be determined.'
LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com
Advertisement
While these findings are important, Troxel said, she encourages individuals to not allow the information to be 'another source of worry that keeps you awake at night.'
'Avoid the tendency to become overly fixated on metrics like REM sleep percentage or latency from consumer sleep trackers, as they have limited accuracy in determining sleep architecture,' she cautioned. 'Obsessing on such data can increase anxiety, which is a powerful sleep disruptor.'
Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here!
The best approach is to focus on the foundations of good sleep health, the expert said.
Advertisement
Adults should strive for seven to nine hours of shuteye and should maintain consistent sleep and wake times, according to Troxel.
5 Adults should strive for seven to nine hours of shuteye and should maintain consistent sleep and wake times, according to experts.
Satawat – stock.adobe.com
'Minimize common disruptors such as excessive caffeine and alcohol, which are known to fragment REM sleep, [as well as] screen use before bedtime,' she added.
Advertisement
'Focusing on these core sleep habits is the most effective and evidence-based way to support the brain and overall health.'
Taglialatela also encourages individuals to focus on creating an 'ideal sleep environment' while maintaining 'good bedtime habits' to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
12 minutes ago
- New York Post
NYC banking exec dead after hiking Wyoming peak six times during ‘Everesting' endurance challenge
A Big Apple banking executive and father-of-three died after quickly hiking up and down a Wyoming peak six times during an 'Everesting' endurance challenge. Slava Leykind, 43, of Westport, Connecticut, went into cardiac arrest after competing in the event at Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole late last month. The endurance-style event sees hikers repeatedly trek 1,500 feet up the mountain to match climbing Mount Everest — the world's tallest peak at 29,032 feet. 3 Connecticut banker, Slava Leykind, with his wife and children Amy Keller Leykind / Facebook 3 Flat Creek and the Snow King ski resort in Jackson, Wyoming. Christopher Boswell – Leykind managed to complete six laps before first responders were called in and he was rushed to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho where he died on July 2, Jackson Hole News & Guide reported. His cause of death was a 'an electrolyte imbalance causing cardiac arrest,' the Teton County Coroner said. Leykind, who lived in Westport with his wife and their three kids, was an exec at the New York City-based investment bank, CG Sawaya Partners, where he'd worked for two decades, according to his LinkedIn. 3 Dad of three Slava Leykind died during an endurance challenge. Amy Keller Leykind / Facebook 'Despite his significant professional success at a young age, Slava's role as a husband and father was his greatest achievement, passion and pride,' his obituary said. 'He fervently supported his children, bringing love and a sense of calm to the wonderful chaos of a full house.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tackling dementia: New approach urged
Urgent action is needed to fight the 'darkness' of dementia, as the deadly condition threatens to affect 850,000 Australians by 2058, a leading brain researcher has said. Dementia is estimated to cost Australia's economy $18bn each year, a figure that will more than double to $37bn in 25 years. But Professor Henry Brodaty spoke to the National Press Club on Wednesday about the need for a new approach to tackling brain health. He said tackling the syndrome would increase productivity in Australia, and delaying the effects of it would allow people to work longer, especially as the workforce ages. A new approach was needed with increased investment to become a world leader in preventing or delaying dementia onset, he said. 'Think about the slip, slop, slap for skin health,' he said. 'We need the slip, slop, slap of brain health, now. 'Funding for dementia has lagged behind cancer and heart disease, even though it contributes more to disease burden. 'Research is critical to find the best ways to provide services efficiently.' He said dementia develops in Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders at 2-5 times the rate of the rest of the population, and suggested steps to counter this. 'Better care before, during and after pregnancy, and in early childhood, and particularly more education, could make a difference to this,' he said. Professor Brodaty said personalised coaching programs improved brain cognition, and increased people's fitness — pushing back the onset of dementia by a year or more. He said this could save Australia billions. 'Imagine what the return on investment would be if Australia did this?' he asked. 'Improving fitness, not only would improve cognition, it would improve fitness, physical, mental and social health.' But Professor Brodaty said Australia's National Dementia Action Plan has only $166m in funding, 'too little for what Australia needs'. 'I sympathise with the government, because there's always competing priorities and there's always other things that can be funded,' he said. 'But, when it makes sense economically, as well as personally to people, then why not do it?'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
One new measles case in Utah, bringing total cases to 11
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The (DHHS) identified another measles case in Southern Utah, bringing the total number of cases to four in the region. There are now a total of 11 cases in the beehive state, . PREVIOUSLY: One new measles case in Utah, bringing total to 10 As of Tuesday, the majority of measles cases, that is seven of the 11 cases, have been identified in Utah County. Officials are encouraging the public to get vaccinated against measles, if they aren't already. At this time, no additional information has been released on the newest case. However, Utah DHHS has been updating public information each Wednesday. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily through the air through coughing and sneezing. The CDC said those infected won't see symptoms appear until about a week after infection, and common symptoms include high fever, cough, and a rash. Myths VS Facts: What health officials want you to know about the MMR vaccine Tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. Measles can cause serious health complications, especially for those who are not protected through the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline. They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Measles in Utah Utah has largely been in the last 10 years. There have only been five confirmed cases since 2015, including three in 2017. However, Utah has had an increase in cases in recent weeks after a passenger with measles . During the 2024/2025 school year, about 10% of in-person kindergarten students in Utah had an exemption for the MMR vaccine or were missing documentation to show they are vaccinated against measles, DHHS noted. Amelia Salmanson, the department's preventable disease manager, notes that the organization has been preparing for measles in Utah for at least a year and have been working to reduce measles transmission outside of the identified households. 'We've been working really closely with our local health departments and our clinical partners to develop plans and processes to ensure that the transmission of measles stays ideally within kind of that immediate group,' Salmanson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
