Sleep deprivation linked to increased risk of dementia in older adults, study finds
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The timing of your sleep patterns may be linked to an increased risk of dementia, according to new research.
An individual’s circadian rhythm, often described as the body’s 24-hour internal clock, keeps the body functioning in a healthy sleep-wake pattern. It also affects other systems in your body, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Although most people’s circadian rhythms are regulated automatically, things like light levels can throw them off balance.
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People with strong circadian rhythms tend to stick to regular sleep and work times, even with schedules or seasonal changes, experts say.
With a weakened circadian rhythm, changes in light and schedule can disrupt the body clock, leading to changes in sleep and activity patterns.
Older adults with impaired daily activity rhythms are more likely to develop dementia in later years. (Stock)
A new study, published in the journal Neurology, sought to examine whether this disorder plays a role in the risk of dementia in older adults.
Researchers from the Academy of Neurology monitored more than 2,000 people for an average of 12 days to track their resting and rhythmic activities.
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“A new feature of our study is that we detected circadian rhythms in the chest-worn ECG skin that is commonly used in the clinic,” lead study author Wendy Wang, Ph.D., of the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, he told Fox News Digital.
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The average age of the participants was 79, and none had dementia at the time of the study. They were divided into three groups based on the strength of their circadian rhythm.
In the group with strong rhythms, 31 of 728 people developed dementia, compared to 106 of 727 people in the group with weak rhythms.
ECG strips worn on the chest monitored patients’ circadian rhythms in a new study. (Stock)
After adjusting for factors such as age, blood pressure and heart disease, the researchers found that people in the weak rhythm group had 2.5 times the risk of dementia.
The researchers identified a possible “U-shaped” relationship between the intensity of the wake cycle and dementia, noting that people with consistently low activity levels may have more stable circadian rhythms.
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People whose work peaked at 2:15 pm or later had a 45% higher risk of dementia compared to those whose activity peaked earlier in the day. About 7% of people in the high group earlier developed dementia, compared to 10% in the late high group.
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The study had some limitations. Data on sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea or disturbed breathing, were not available. Wang noted that more research is needed to understand the possible link.
With a weakened circadian rhythm, changes in light and schedule can disrupt the body clock, leading to changes in sleep and activity patterns. (Stock)
The researcher also recommended that people maintain a strong circadian rhythm that is “well aligned” with the 24-hour day.
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“People with strong circadian rhythms tend to follow normal sleep and work schedules,” she said.
“However, it is important to note that our study does not include evidence that abnormal circadian rhythms cause dementia, only that an association was observed.”
