Chronic insomnia linked to faster brain aging
Chronic insomnia may accelerate brain aging and increase dementia risk by 40%.
Why it matters
- Chronic insomnia is linked to faster declines in memory and thinking skills.
- It may increase the risk of dementia by 40%, equivalent to 3.5 additional years of aging.
By the numbers
- Study included 2,750 older adults (average age 70) tracked for 5.6 years.
- 16% had chronic insomnia; 14% developed cognitive issues vs. 10% without insomnia.
The big picture
- Insomnia may affect brain health through amyloid plaques and small vessel damage.
- Treating chronic insomnia might help protect brain health as we age.
What they're saying
- One comment highlights the irony that this news might not help with sleep.
- Another comment asks if sleep apnea is included in the study.
Caveats
- The study shows an association, not causation.
- Insomnia diagnoses might miss undiagnosed cases or severity.
- Some participants with genetic risk factors showed steeper cognitive declines.
What’s next
- Further research is needed to understand if treating insomnia can reduce dementia risk.
- More detailed studies on sleep patterns and brain health could provide deeper insights.