United States: Elderly with low energy levels that might make them have no desire for activities in the day are facing a higher risk of a condition that leads to dementia, a study has revealed.
More on the Study
Such sleep-related problems are linked with “motoric cognitive risk syndrome,” which is a pre-dementia condition that leads to a slow walking speed as well as memory problems to some extent, stated the researchers.
The study, published in Neurology on November 6, highlights the need for further research into the relationship between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline.
Dr. Victoire Leroy, one of the lead researchers, emphasized the importance of studying how sleep issues contribute to motoric cognitive risk syndrome and, ultimately, cognitive decline.
How the Study Was Conducted
The study involved 445 participants, aged 76 on average, who had no dementia at the outset. The participants completed questionnaires on their sleep habits and memory concerns, and were timed on a treadmill to measure walking speed.
Of the 445 participants, 177 were identified as poor sleepers, while 268 were considered good sleepers. Over the course of the study, 42 participants were diagnosed with early-stage motoric cognitive risk syndrome.
Among those with sleep problems, about 36 percent developed the syndrome, compared to just 7% of those with no sleep issues.
Key Takeaways
Nevertheless, the work cannot directly connect these sleep disturbances to this pre-dementia syndrome, as investigators pointed out.
It did show, though, that good sleep will almost certainly shield the mind and body of an individual in old age, the researchers pointed out.
As Leroy mentioned in an American Academy of Neurology, “Our findings emphasize the need for screening for sleep issues,” and “There’s potential that people could get help with their sleep issues and prevent cognitive decline later in life.”