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Feb 15, 2012

Sleeping Better Now Helps Prevent Memory Loss When You’re Old

If you're one of those people who battles through all-nighters, parties hard only to rise early, or has plain old insomnia, I have some bad news for you. Scientists have shown that sleep deprivation in early adult life is linked to memory problems when you're old.

According to a report by Science Daily, the amount and quality of sleep you get at night may have a profound effect on your memory in later life. The research, carried out by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans in April.

The team of researchers has shown that disrupted sleep appears to be associated with the build-up of amyloid plaques—a hallmark indicator of Alzheimer's disease. Their study showed that people who spend less than 85 percent of their time in bed actually sleeping, or those who wake up more than five times per hour, were significantly more likely to have the markers of early stage Alzheimer's disease. So, if you're not sleeping well at the moment, it might be a good idea to change it. More here.

7 comments:

Outcast said...

I've been thinking a lot recently about how much more careful I really need to be with my sleep, this has provided me with yet another good reason, thanks man.

Anonymous said...

sounds about right - i`ve got a memory like a ...one of those things you get in the kitchen.

Sujana said...

Oh wow... I wish I could fall asleep easily but nope. Great post though, very informative!

Leon Kennedy said...

well, i'm screwed

MRanthrope said...

damn, im screwed then =/

That Random Guy said...

I get 8 hours all day ever day. However I am considering attempting the uberman, just so I can say that I did.

G said...

I'm screwed then...I normally get about 4 hours a night