Sleep is for the human Brain Extremely relevant: Newly acquired information is processed during the night hours. While we sleep, we solidify Memories of the day – new ones are also linked to previous ones.
Researchers at the German University of Kiel have now discovered that certain… Features of sleepwhich are probably important for this memory formation, changed in patients with Alzheimer’s are.
Sleep apnea as an underestimated risk factor
In addition, studies show that the sleep of dementia patients is often disturbed even before the onset of the illness Sleep disorders a Risk factor are responsible for the development of Alzheimer’s dementia, especially that Sleep apnea syndrome. This is emphasized by the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM) in a current broadcast.
Statistically speaking, anyone affected by sleep apnea has approximately one 1.6 times higher risk of developing dementia. It is already known that the sleep of people with Alzheimer’s, for example, is shorter and more fragmented. According to the experts, the fact that the risk can probably be minimized through preventative treatment of sleep apnea is an important and largely unknown fact.
Sleep disorders hinder the flushing out of toxins
It is not yet fully understood why disturbed sleep can lead to the development of dementia. During healthy sleep, the spaces between the two expand nerve cells in the brain and it can Toxins be washed out.
It is believed that two types of pathological protein deposits Responsible for Alzheimer’s in the brain: plaques made of beta-amyloid and the neurofibrils made of tau protein. As a result, they act as troublemakers in the brain, hindering the flow of information to the nerve cells. One assumption is that these can no longer be flushed out as well if sleep is disturbed.
Sleep disorders should be treated
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia and diagnosis has been increasing for years. “There are many risk factors and genetics also play a role. The connection between sleep apnea and dementia is one more argument for treating this sleep disorder at any age and thus further minimizing the risk of dementia,” emphasizes Robert Göder from the Center for Integrative Psychiatry at the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel. He was involved in the research and recommends treatment for every sleep apnea patient to do everything possible to reduce the risk of a serious disease such as Alzheimer’s.
It is important to know that not every sleep apnea patient will develop dementia. “But if you want to protect yourself as best as possible against dementia, you should have one diagnosed sleep apnea as an additional risk factor “In any case, get therapy,” advises Göder.
