Table of Contents
- 1 Cognitive abnormalities and warning signs for dementia: Why sleep disorders are also a risk factor
- 2 Can lack of sleep cause dementia? How the brain suffers from lack of sleep
- 3 Dementia is on the rise in Germany: by 2050 the number of sufferers will increase by 50 percent
- 4 **Given the potential link between sleep disorders and dementia, what public health initiatives could be implemented to promote healthy sleep habits and raise awareness about the importance of sleep for cognitive health?**
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Researchers discover a connection between sleep disorders and dementia. Anyone who is sleepy during the day could also be at risk (symbolic image). © IMAGO/Elisatim/Westend61
Current research results show that tiredness during the day could be a warning sign of an increased risk of dementia. A lack of enthusiasm is also a sign.
Bronx – Staying mentally fit into old age is what many people want. Sleep plays a crucial role in this. Excessive daytime sleepiness could be more than just exhaustion: Researchers from the US have shown that daytime sleepiness and lack of enthusiasm can be warning signs of motor-cognitive risk syndrome (MCR).
Cognitive abnormalities and warning signs for dementia: Why sleep disorders are also a risk factor
The motor-cognitive risk syndrome, or MCR for short, is like the yellow traffic light on the road to dementia. A first warning signal that could indicate the later development of the disease. Those who suffer from the syndrome, for example, have a slower running speed, mild memory problems or problems with attention. These are abnormalities that go beyond normal aging. Anyone suffering from MCR does not yet suffer from dementia, but has an increased risk of developing this neurological disease.
The research team led by Victoire Leroy from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx in the USA has now identified two additional factors that are among the core symptoms of MCR: excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of enthusiasm. While poor sleep quality is generally considered a symptom of MCR, researchers in this study examined subjects’ sleep in detail using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The risk of developing MCR is about three times higher in people who are sleepy during the day.
About the study
The study, “Association of Sleep Disturbances With Prevalent and Incident Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome in Community-Residing Older Adults,” appeared in the journal on November 6, 2024 Neurology.
The research team Victoire Leroy, Emmeline Ayers, Dristi Adhikari and Joe Verghese from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx examined 445 participants who were on average 76 years old at the start of the study and did not suffer from dementia.
Data collection in the form of surveys on sleep and memory problems as well as a walking speed test took place annually from 2011 to 2018. The follow-up period was an average of three years.
Can lack of sleep cause dementia? How the brain suffers from lack of sleep
35.5 percent of those test subjects who stated in the study that they suffered from daytime tiredness or listlessness developed a motor-cognitive risk syndrome three years later. In comparison, only 6.7 percent of people without these symptoms later developed the syndrome. Those suffering from MCR are more than twice as likely to develop dementia. “Determining the association between sleep disturbances and MCR risk is important because early intervention may be the best hope for preventing dementia,” the study authors said.
Dementia is on the rise in Germany: by 2050 the number of sufferers will increase by 50 percent
The earlier dementia is detected, the easier it is to delay the progression of the disease, for example through drug treatment. According to the German Alzheimer’s Society, 1.8 million people in Germany suffered from dementia in 2022. The disease is on the rise: by 2050, the number of people over 65 with dementia will increase to 2.4 to 2.8 million people.
The study by the research team from the USA makes an important contribution to combating the disease. However, there are also limitations to the study: The classification of sleep quality in this study is based on the participants’ self-assessment and not on objective measurement methods such as polysomnography in a sleep laboratory. Accordingly, subjective misjudgments could occur, especially among people with memory problems.
**Given the potential link between sleep disorders and dementia, what public health initiatives could be implemented to promote healthy sleep habits and raise awareness about the importance of sleep for cognitive health?**
## World Today News: Sleep and Dementia
**Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the latest research linking sleep disorders and dementia.**
**Joining me are Dr. Emily Carter, a leading neurologist specializing in dementia, and Professor Mark Taylor, a sleep researcher with expertise in sleep disorders and cognitive function.**
**Welcome both!**
**(Guests greet the interviewer.)**
**Section 1: Sleep, MCR, and Dementia: Understanding the Connections**
* Dr. Carter, the article mentions “Motor-Cognitive Risk Syndrome” or MCR. Could you explain what this is and how it relates to dementia?
* Professor Taylor, the study highlighted daytime sleepiness and lack of enthusiasm as potential warning signs of MCR. How reliable are these indicators, and what other factors might contribute to these symptoms?
* Dr. Carter, how does this research contribute to our understanding of the link between sleep disorders and the development of dementia? What are the possible mechanisms at play?
*
**Section 2: Early Detection and Intervention: Can We Prevent Dementia?**
* Professor Taylor, if daytime sleepiness and lack of motivation are early warning signs, what steps can individuals take to address these symptoms and potentially mitigate their risk?
* Dr. Carter, the article states that “early intervention may be the best hope for preventing dementia.” What types of interventions are currently available, and what does the future hold for dementia prevention?
* What are your thoughts on the potential for lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep hygiene or engaging in cognitive stimulation activities, to play a role in dementia prevention?
*
**Section 3: Challenges and Future Directions: Research and Policy**
* Dr. Carter, the article highlights the limitations of relying solely on self-reported sleep data. What are the challenges in accurately measuring and assessing sleep quality in research, and how can these challenges be overcome?
* Professor Taylor, what are the biggest challenges facing researchers in the field of sleep disorders and dementia? What are the most promising avenues for future research?
* Dr. Carter, given the increasing prevalence of dementia, what role should public policy play in supporting research, prevention, and care for individuals with dementia and their families?
**(Concluding Remarks)**
Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights with us today. This research opens fascinating avenues for understanding and potentially preventing dementia, and your expertise has shed light on the critical role of sleep in maintaining cognitive health
