A groundbreaking study published in Neurology reveals a stark connection between chronic insomnia and accelerated brain aging. Researchers followed over 2,500 cognitively healthy individuals, aged 70 on average, for 5.6 years. A significant finding emerged: those suffering from chronic insomnia – defined as sleep difficulties at least three days a week for three months or more – faced a substantially higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
The study showed that 14% of participants with chronic insomnia developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia, compared to only 10% of those without. After controlling for factors like high blood pressure, sleep medication use, age, and sleep apnea, the risk for insomniacs increased by a startling 40%, equivalent to an extra 3.5 years of cognitive aging. Furthermore, their cognitive test scores declined at a faster rate.
The research suggests that insomnia may impact the brain in multiple ways. Individuals reporting less sleep than usual in the preceding two weeks scored lower on cognitive tests, equivalent to being four years older. They also exhibited higher levels of white matter hyperintensities (indicative of potential brain damage) and amyloid plaques (a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease). The amyloid plaque buildup in these individuals mirrored that seen in people with a known genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's.
While the study doesn't definitively prove that insomnia *causes* accelerated brain aging, it establishes a strong association. Dr. Diego Carvalho, a Mayo Clinic neurologist and co-author of the study, emphasizes the importance of addressing chronic insomnia not just for improved sleep quality, but also for potential brain health preservation. The findings contribute to growing evidence highlighting sleep's crucial role in brain resilience.
It's important to note that the study's limitations include reliance on medical records for insomnia diagnoses, which may not reflect symptom severity or encompass undiagnosed cases. However, the overarching message is clear: prioritizing sufficient sleep and seeking professional help for persistent insomnia is crucial for maintaining long-term brain health.
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Originally published at: https://gizmodo.com/chronic-insomnia-is-bad-for-the-brain-like-really-bad-2000657874
