Studies: Better sleep may be important for Alzheimer’s risk

This undated image provided by the Mayo Clinic shows an abnormal TDP-43, the two circular brown blobs, in the brain of a patient with tau neurofibrillary tangle, blue flame shape blob in the middle, and Alzheimer’s disease during the pathological analyses in Rochester, Minn. Scientists have linked a new protein to Alzheimer's disease, different from the amyloid and tau that make up the sticky brain plaques and tangles long known to be its hallmarks and was discussed Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Mayo Clinic) This undated image provided by the Mayo Clinic shows an abnormal TDP-43, the two circular brown blobs, in the brain of a patient with tau neurofibrillary tangle, blue flame shape blob in the middle, and Alzheimer’s disease during the pathological analyses in Rochester, Minn. Scientists have linked a new protein to Alzheimer's disease, different from the amyloid and tau that make up the sticky brain plaques and tangles long known to be its hallmarks and was discussed Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Copenhagen. (AP Photo/Mayo Clinic)

By Associated Press July 20, 2015 4 min read

WASHINGTON — To sleep, perchance to… ward off Alzheimer’s? New research suggests poor sleep may increase people’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease, by spurring a brain-clogging gunk that in turn further interrupts shut-eye.

Disrupted sleep may be one of the missing pieces in explaining how a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, a sticky protein called beta-amyloid, starts its damage long before people have trouble with memory, researchers reported Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.

“It’s very clear that sleep disruption is an underappreciated factor,” said Dr. Matthew Walker of the University of California, Berkeley, who presented data linking amyloid levels with people’s sleep and memory performance. “It’s a new player on the scene that increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Graphic shows projection for number of people in U.S. with Alzheimerâ€™s disease; 1c x 3 inches; 46.5 mm x 76 mm;

Sleep problems are treatable — and a key next question is whether improving sleep can make a difference in protecting seniors’ brains.

“Sleep is a modifiable factor. It’s a new treatment target,” Walker said.