New research continues to come out of this week鈥檚 Alzheimer鈥檚 Association International Conference, and a few studies shine a spotlight on the complicated connection between sleep and dementia.
滨迟鈥檚 that sleep deprivation may increase one鈥檚 risk for Alzheimer鈥檚, a disease that currently affects , according to the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association. The latest research, however, shows that medications designed to help troubled sleepers catch up on those necessary ZZZs may also increase dementia risk.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e seeing reported at this conference is that we’re not sure that sleep medications are always a good idea for everyone who is suffering from some of the sleep difficulties,鈥� said Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association.
鈥淚t could be the case that sleep medications in some people are helpful because they help you get more good sleep, which can be protective. But in other people these sleep medications may actually increase a person鈥檚 risk for cognitive decline.鈥�
One report presented at the conference found that participants ages 70-79 without dementia at the start of a 15-year study who took sleep medications 鈥渙ften鈥� or 鈥渁lmost always鈥� were 43% more likely to develop dementia, compared to those who 鈥渘ever or rarely鈥� took sleep medications. The increased risk was only observed among white adults.
Another study found that sleep medications may impact dementia risk differently in men and women. Researchers observed more than 3,600 adults 65 and older and found that men who reported use of sleep medications had a 3.6 times increased risk for developing Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, compared to those who didn鈥檛 use sleep medications.
For women, the outcomes were dependent on sleep disturbances, said the study’s lead author Elizabeth Vernon: “Those women taking sleep medications and self-reporting a sleeping issue, such as insomnia, were at a 35.2% reduced risk for developing Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. Whereas, those women taking sleeping medications but not self-reporting a sleeping disturbance were at a four times greater risk of developing Alzheimer鈥檚 disease,” Vernon said in an email to 草莓传媒.
To complicate matters, Fargo explained that in people who already have dementia, poor sleep 鈥渁ctually worsens their cognitive symptoms; it worsens their thinking and memory.鈥�
鈥淎nd so the picture that鈥檚 emerging is fairly complicated right now, and what it tells us is that if you have sleep difficulties, you really need to have a good conversation with your physician to find out what鈥檚 the best way to handle that.鈥�
Other research reported at the conference shows scientists and medical experts are closer to developing a blood test to screen for Alzheimer鈥檚 and related dementias. Current screening tools include a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history, etc., and an expensive brain imaging test that identifies the build up of amyloid, a protein linked to Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.
鈥淪o a blood test really would be leaps and bounds 鈥� for the simple reason being that you could do it virtually anywhere,鈥� Fargo said.
However, don鈥檛 expect to see a routine blood test for dementia in your doctor鈥檚 office next week. Fargo said it may take time. The blood tests are entering clinical trials and aiding in additional research to help scientists better understand the disease process.
While there currently is no cure, diagnosing Alzheimer鈥檚 and dementia early can help those with the disease navigate treatment options, minimize symptoms and benefit from clinical trials.
鈥淟ike any kind of disease, the earlier you catch it, the better outcomes you can expect once we have better therapies,鈥� Fargo said.
