Lack Of Sleep Leads To Alzheimer`s Disease

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jul, 2017 ) : A new study warns that lack of sleep can lead to mental disorders and increase risk of ailments like Alzheimer`s disease. According to researchers, treating conditions like sleep apnea and hypopnea (shallow breathing) might lower the risk of dementia or at least slow its progression, Health news reported.

"What`s exciting about these three studies is that they are looking at biological changes in the brain that may underlie a relationship between sleep problems and Alzheimer`s disease," said Keith Fargo from Wheaton College in Illinois in the US.

Sleep apnea itself can cause cognitive [thinking] problems, which can be turned around with treatment. Researchers found that sleep apnea was associated with increased development of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. According to the researchers, sleep problems accelerate the development of amyloid plaque in both people without dementia and in those already suffering from dementia.