A new study suggests a possible connection between delayed REM sleep and the presence of dementia-related proteins in the brain. People with dementia took significantly longer to enter REM sleep compared to those without the condition. Researchers believe this delay in REM sleep could disrupt memory consolidation processes.
– the last of four stages of sleep which we go through multiple times a night – is usually when we dream.The study, which involved 128 participants with mixed dementia and dementia-free status, found that people without the condition took about 98 minutes to hit REM sleep.
Those with dementia, on the other hand, appeared to take much longer to reach the REM, or “dream”, stage than those without the condition.People who took longer to get to the stage had, on average, 16% more amyloid and 29% more tau in their brains. Both of these proteins have been associated with the development of dementia.that one of the reasons this might be significant is because we consolidate our memories during REM sleep.
“The delay in REM sleep disrupts the brain’s ability to consolidate memories by interfering with the process that contributes to learning and memory,” he said.“If it is insufficient or delayed, it may increase the stress hormone cortisol, can impair the brain’s hippocampus, a critical structure for memory consolidation.”that certain medications, alcohol, sleep apnoea, and other disruptions to our natural sleep cycle can affect how quickly we reach REM.
The study doesn’t prove that delayed REM definitely means you have dementia, though. It just shows an association.“Future research should study the effects of certain medications that influence sleep patterns, as these may modify disease progression,”
DEMENTIA SLEEP REM SLEEP MEMORY BRAIN
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