Lack of sleep in middle age may increase dementia risk

The NIH article discusses a study examining the relationship between sleep duration in midlife and the risk of developing dementia later on. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 8,000 individuals, starting at age 50, over a 25-year period. They found that those who consistently slept six hours or less per night in their 50s and 60s had a 30% higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia compared to those who slept seven hours. The study controlled for factors such as smoking, physical activity, body mass index, and medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease. While the findings suggest a link between short sleep duration and increased dementia risk, the study does not establish causation. Therefore, prioritizing sufficient sleep in midlife may be beneficial for long-term brain health, but further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.