Sleep disturbances and dementia risk: A multicenter study

The goal of this study was to examine whether sleep disturbances in midlife and late-life were associated with a higher dementia risk in older adults. This was assessed through the use of two NEAR population-based studies: the Kungsholmen Project and H70 study, as well as the Finnish study CAIDE (Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia).

Photo: Josefine Anjou

Trouble falling asleep in midlife and waking up too early or long sleep duration in late-life were associated with a higher dementia risk
Individuals who had trouble falling asleep in midlife (age ≈ 50 years) and waking up too early or long sleep duration (>9 hours) in late-life were at an increased risk of developing dementia after the age of 70 years.

Photo of Shireen Sindi, first author of the study.

Reference: Sindi S, Kåreholt I, Johansson L, Skoog J, Sjöberg L, Wang HX, Johansson B, Fratiglioni L, Soininen H, Solomon A, Skoog I, Kivipelto M. Sleep disturbances and dementia risk: A multicenter study. Alzheimers Dement. 2018;14(10):1235-1242. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.05.012.