Your sleep may be hiding an early clue to Alzheimer’s
Frequent micro-awakenings during sleep were linked to higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in healthy middle-aged adults who had no symptoms. The discovery raises the possibility that subtle changes during sleep could offer an early warning signal years before memory problems appear.
Recent research from the University of Liège suggests that subtle changes in sleep patterns may serve as early indicators of Alzheimer's disease, even before memory problems become apparent. In a study of over 500 healthy individuals, researchers discovered that middle-aged participants experiencing frequent nighttime micro awakenings were more likely to have a higher genetic risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
However, this correlation was not present in younger adults. The study, published in the journal Sleep, highlights the potential for sleep measurements to identify vulnerable individuals before symptoms emerge. Genetic risk, measured using a polygenic risk, was compared with sleep characteristics, revealing an association between higher genetic risk and increased frequency of micro awakenings in older participants.
The locus coeruleus, a brain region crucial for regulating wakefulness and sleep, is also a focus of Alzheimer's research due to its early involvement in protein deposits. The findings suggest that sleep could potentially serve as an early marker for identifying individuals at risk of Alzheimer's, although further research is required to confirm these results and determine the potential for intervention.
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