Getting less than 6 hours of sleep can increase the risk of dementia in the elderly

Nearly ten million new cases of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, are counted annually worldwide according to the World Health Organization, and sleep disturbances are a common symptom. There is a growing body of research showing sleep patterns before the onset of dementia can also contribute to disease progression.

Time spent sleeping is associated with dementia risk in older adults – 65 years and over – but it is unclear whether this association also applies to younger age groups. They say future research may determine whether improving sleep patterns can help prevent dementia.

“Many of us have had a bad night’s sleep and may know that it can impact our memory and thinking in the short term, but the interesting question is whether long-term sleep patterns can affect our risk of dementia,” Sara Imarisio, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK told the Science Media Center.

She says that while there is no magic cure for dementia, evidence shows that not smoking, drinking in moderation, staying mentally and physically active, and eating well are some of the things that can help the brain stay healthy as you age.

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