Dementia researchers have known for some time that changes in sleep are associated with the risk of developing Alzheimer's, although it is still difficult to determine whether the disease causes these changes in sleep or the opposite. It is also possible that the relationship is a combination of both factors.
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Dementia researchers have known for some time that changes in sleep are associated with the risk of developing Alzheimer's, although it is still difficult to determine whether the disease causes these changes in sleep...
Regardless of this relationship, a previous study showed that elderly people who slept less than five hours a night were twice as likely to develop dementia over five years compared to those who slept between six and nine hours.
However, highlights HuffPost, a new study published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia sought to understand why longer periods of sleep also appear to be associated with a greater risk of the disease.
Sleep x dementia: study details
The research analyzed 2,410 participants, all over 65 years old. The researchers compared the volunteers' sleep patterns with a modified type of tau protein, considered one of the main features of Alzheimer's disease.
Higher levels of this protein began to be observed among people who slept eight to nine hours a night, increasing even more among those who slept more than 10 hours. It is worth mentioning that the data does not refer to a single night's sleep, but rather to a habitual pattern.
For researchers, this may indicate that elderly people who tend to sleep for long periods are more likely to present early neurodegenerative changes.
The study continues research published in 2025, which concluded that sleeping more than nine hours a night can negatively affect cognitive performance in people of all ages, especially those diagnosed with depression.
Despite the results, the researchers highlight that more studies on the topic are still needed. Research author Vanessa M. Young stated:
"Many people are concerned about how their sleep habits affect their brain health. Because this study captures a specific point in time and is not long-term research, we cannot say that sleeping too much causes Alzheimer's. However, the results suggest that it may be worth tracking sleep duration, as sleeping more does not always mean better brain health."
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Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora
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