A study conducted by Associate Professor Matthew Pase at Monash University suggests that a decrease in deep sleep for individuals over the age of 60 can significantly increase the risk of dementia. The study, published in JAMA Neurology, followed 346 participants from the Framingham Heart Study over a period of 17 years. The findings revealed that a 1% reduction in deep sleep per year was associated with a 27% increase in dementia risk. Deep sleep plays a crucial role in supporting the aging brain, including the clearance of proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The study highlights the potential for deep sleep as a modifiable risk factor for dementia.
https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/improving-deep-sleep-may-prevent-dementia,-study-finds