Could daytime sleepiness increase the risk of dementia in older adults?

Older adults who are excessively sleepy during the day or have severe sleep problems are at increased risk of developing a pre-dementia condition known as motor cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a new study has found.

The syndrome was characterized by slow walking speed and some memory problems. This was more common among people over 65, who were classified as “poor sleepers”, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and low motivation for daily activities. Medical news today.

The study was published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

“For younger adults, especially middle-aged adults, sleep problems (eg, excessive daytime sleepiness, fragmented sleep patterns, undiagnosed sleep apnea) may increase the risk of future cognitive decline. Research shows that sleep disturbances in midlife, such as chronic insomnia or sleep apnea, may contribute to neurodegenerative changes that later manifest as dementia,” board-certified neurologist Dr. Verna Porter said about the link between sleep and dementia.

She added: “If sleep apnea or insomnia develops in midlife, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. For example, untreated or undertreated sleep apnea may not only increase the risk of cerebrovascular/cardiovascular disease, but may also increase the risk of developing dementia in the future (eg, Alzheimer’s disease).”

Consultant neurologist Dr Steve Alder also echoed this sentiment, saying it was important to address sleep problems early in life.

“Poor sleep in midlife may increase the risk of developing dementia years later if it contributes to other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease or inflammation, that are associated with cognitive decline,” he said.

In addition, middle-aged people can take several steps to reduce their risk of sleep problems in the future. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress management and good sleep hygiene are among the valuable habits.