Husband calls for change to law after wife’s dementia diagnosis

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

And with Britain being the most sleep-deprived nation in the world, according to a separate Annual Relaxation Survey, scientists say a good night’s kip has never been more important. Research author Dr Severine Sabia, of the University of Paris, said: “This study highlights the importance of having a good sleep for brain health.” Scientists tracked 7,959 Whitehall staff for more than 25 years. Those sleeping six hours or fewer at 50 or 60 were more likely to develop the disease.

But dementia rates rose 30 percent among those with consistently short sleeping patterns between the age of 50 and 70. This was compared to peers who managed the recommended seven or eight hours.

Dr Sabia said: “Regularly sleeping six hours or fewer per night during middle age is associated with a greater risk of dementia. This adds to the increasing evidence that sleep is critical for health.” 

She said sleep was needed to clear rogue proteins from the brain called amyloid beta. They kill neurons, leading to memory loss and confusion.

Accumulation of these proteins are found in Alzheimer’s patients.

More than 920,000 people in the UK are living with dementia.

Professor Derk-Jan Dijk, of the University of Surrey and UK Dementia Research Institute group leader, said: “It is a solid piece of research adding to the growing evidence for a link between sleep and dementia.” The study was published in Nature Communications.

Source: Read Full Article