Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common causes of dementia in older adults, and research is increasingly examining possible links between sleep quality and the risk of developing it.

A new study by Belgian scientists has found that more frequent short awakenings during the night are associated with a higher genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged and older adults, HuffPost reports.

Micro-awakenings as a possible early indicator

Scientists from the University of Liège analyzed the sleep patterns of more than 500 people aged 18 to 31 and 50 to 69. The results, published in the journal Sleep, showed that older participants who had frequent awakenings during the night also had a higher genetic risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. These brief awakenings were recorded even before the appearance of any symptoms, such as memory problems. All of the study participants were healthy.

The same increased risk was not found in younger subjects with frequent nighttime awakenings. Micro-arousals are described as brief bursts of brain activity that do not necessarily wake a person up completely, but disrupt their sleep. Brain activity is monitored using an electroencephalogram (EEG).

The importance of sleep for brain health

The study also has its limitations. There were only 87 subjects in the older age group, which is a relatively small sample size, so the results may not be the same in a larger population. Also, waking up frequently does not necessarily mean that someone will develop Alzheimer's disease. However, sleep quality is a key factor in overall health and dementia risk, as the brain processes memories and removes waste products during sleep.

Dr. Arman Fesharaki-Zadeh, an assistant professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine, told HuffPost in a previous statement that the link between sleep disorders and dementia is an important topic under intense research.

"There is a strong link between sleep disorders, particularly lack of deep sleep, and an increased risk of developing dementia. Changes in sleep patterns, including less deep sleep, may serve as early biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases," he added.

How to reduce the risk

Although Alzheimer's disease may be genetic, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk or delay its onset. Regular exercise is recommended, at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, such as walking or gardening. It's also important to control hearing loss, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

A diet rich in healthy fats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables also contributes to health. Dr. Rudy Tanzi, director of the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, summed it up in a previous statement: "We've always said that what's good for the heart is good for the brain."

Smoking and drinking alcohol can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. As a new study suggests, quality sleep protects the brain, which includes treating conditions like sleep apnea.

"People need adequate sleep because the brain repairs itself during deep sleep. This is the time when the concentration of beta-amyloid, a toxic protein that contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease, decreases," explained Dr. James Ellison, a geriatric psychiatrist at Jefferson Health.

Scientists also recommend maintaining social contacts and ongoing mental challenges, such as learning a new language, trying new recipes, or finding a hobby.

Occasionally forgetting a name or losing your keys is not a cause for concern, as cognitive changes are part of aging. However, if these changes begin to interfere with daily life, such as difficulty following a conversation, getting lost in familiar places, or being unable to perform simple tasks, you should talk to your doctor about your risk of dementia.

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