5.7 million Americans are suffering with Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately changes to the brain can start decades before any real symptoms start to manifest.
How the brain changes progress:
- Amyloid beta protein collects in brain plaque
- Tangles of tau appear
- Atrophy of key brain areas
- Then cognitive decline
What is challenging researchers is how to stop brain changes before we know the damage is done. Quality of sleep may be the answer.
This new Washington University study tracked 119 people 60 or older, with 20% of the group showing mild cognitive impairment. Sleep was then monitored by brain waves, body movement, and sleep logs. Amyloid beta and tau was also measured as was cerebrospinal fluid.  It was concluded that a decrease in slow-wave sleep coincided with higher levels of tau in the brain and higher tau/amyloid ratio in cerebrospinal fluid.
If your sleep habits changing might need to talk with your doctor about the implications.
Sleep & Memory Connected! #HealthStatus
Early Alzheimer's Detection Methods
- 1Brain Scans
- 2Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis
- 3And NOW Sleep Monitoring
“Measuring how people sleep may be a noninvasive way to screen for Alzheimer’s disease before or just as people begin to develop problems with memory and thinking.”
See the full article at:Â Â https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/decreased-deep-sleep-linked-to-early-signs-of-alzheimers-disease/
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