Alzheimer's poor sleep link

Poor sleep as you get older may not only leave you feeling tired out but could have an impact on the level of beta-amyloid, a biomarker for Alzheimer’s. And it’s not just lack of sleep that could have a negative impact on this type of dementia, but also quality of sleep too. With around half of older people suffering from some type of insomnia symptoms, the health implications are wide. Promoting a good night’s sleep could well be protecting your mental health as you age, as well as making you feel energized when you wake.

The study

A recent study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Maryland, involved looking at the PET and PIB neuro-imaging brain scans of participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The average age of those studied was 76 and the focus was on looking at how the relationship between sleep and the impact on beta-amyloid which is a component of a protein plaque found in the brains in high levels in individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s.

The results

The study looked at sleep patterns which ranged from over seven hours’ of sleep a night to less than five hours. While, the researchers point out that a causal link cannot be established without further research through longitudinal studies, the findings revealed that shorter sleep or lower sleep quality was certainly associated with more beta-amyloid build-up.

The impact

If sleep does promote the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s then the impact on the over 60s could be huge. Anecdotally, many people state that the older people are getting less sleep than they need. However, not getting enough sleep could be having all sorts of negative effects on health and this could be affecting millions of people. Regardless of the possible link between sleep and Alzheimer’s, lack of sleep is a big problem for many older people and could be having a knock-on effect on health as well as quality of life.

Promoting sleep

Dr. Adam Spira, lead author of the study suggests solutions to insomnia may need to be found. “To the degree that poor sleep promotes the development of Alzheimer’s disease, treatments for poor sleep or efforts to maintain healthy sleep patterns may help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.” Because insomnia affects so many people, especially those in the over 60 age bracket, there are many theories out there as to how you can promote a better sleep and get over the hurdle of falling asleep in the first place.

Solutions

Insomnia can be a nightmare, without the sleep, for many people. One way to stimulate the body to sleep can be through a healthy exercise plan. The right level and type of exercise can balance hormones and has an effect on your circadian rhythms. Fitness can help reduce levels of anxiety and stress too, which helps promote a more restful sleep. On top of this, a post-exercise drop in body temperature can help you fall asleep.

Are you over 60? Do you suffer from insomnia? Could an exercise plan help you find the balance you need and make night times a dream?