Sleep Disorder Alzheimer’s Link?

According to various recent studies, sleep deprivation plays a role in the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most common form of dementia.  The research centered around a protein named beta-amyloid, which is suspected to be a primary contributor to AD.  Researchers monitored the brains of sleep-deprived mice, and noticed that preventing the mice from sleep resulted in a 25 percent increase in the same beta-amyloid plaque levels that are seen in AD patients.

The aforementioned research was only conducted with mice.   However, another study suggests a possible link with humans.  During the study, the beta-amyloid plaque levels in volunteers’ spinal fluid decreased during sleep, but increased while awake.  Researchers admit that these finding are very preliminary and there are numerous other variables to consider.   So, further studies need to be done with human volunteers.

Although there isn’t really anything definitive to be gleaned from the research, we do know that sleep deprivation can have more insidious, and potentially dangerous consequences.  Decreased reaction time, impaired memory, and depressed immune system are all possible outcomes if you don’t get enough sleep.  The standard rule that we’ve been told is to get eight hours of sleep each night.  But, this is akin to saying that we should all wear the same outfit every day.  Sleep requirements vary from person-to-person.  Some folks require as little as five hours of sleep and others need as much as ten.  So, listen to your body and pay attention to how you feel when you wake up.  If you’re still lethargic and tired a few minutes after waking up, chances are you should’ve skipped “The Late Late Show” last night.

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