17.09.2024 – 11:15
Alzheimer Research Initiative e. V.
Düsseldorf (ots)
Sleep could play a crucial role in the fight against Alzheimer’s. In a joint study by the University Hospital of Cologne and the Jülich Research Center, dementia researcher Dr. Merle Hönig and her team investigated the connection between sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s. She wants to clarify whether treating sleep disorders can help prevent Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer Research Initiative (AFI) provides information on the current state of research.
Deep sleep supports the brain’s “dishwasher”
The focus of research activities is deep sleep, which, according to the latest findings, acts as a kind of “dishwasher” for the brain. Dr. Hönig explains: “It is assumed that in the healthy brain, certain cleaning processes take place during sleep in which harmful substances are removed from the central nervous system – including amyloid-beta and tau, proteins whose accumulation in the brain is considered one of the possible causes of Alzheimer’s. In Alzheimer’s patients, this cleaning process could be disrupted, leading to the accumulation of these proteins and ultimately to the death of nerve cells.” The duration of deep sleep in particular seems to play a role, which is why shortened deep sleep phases over a longer period of time are considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
Study on the duration of deep sleep in people with and without Alzheimer’s
To investigate the connection between the duration of deep sleep and the deposition of harmful proteins in Alzheimer’s patients, Dr. Hönig examined the deep sleep of subjects in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and compared the results with those of a healthy control group. The duration of deep sleep was monitored using electronic headbands, which enabled precise recording of the sleep phases. In order to determine the amount of harmful protein deposits in the brain and to be able to compare them over the study period, positron emission tomography (PET) was used – an imaging technique that can make the harmful proteins of Alzheimer’s disease visible.
Initial findings and further research
Initial results show that shorter deep sleep phases are associated with greater deposits of the proteins amyloid-beta and tau. The PET scans showed a clear connection between shortened deep sleep and increased protein deposits in the brain. Overall, it was also observed that the subjects suffering from Alzheimer’s had shorter deep sleep phases and woke up more often during the night. This could further accelerate the further deposits of amyloid-beta and tau and thus the progression of the disease in Alzheimer’s patients.
For Dr. Hönig and her team, these observations raise further questions: First, whether the duration of deep sleep provides an indication of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Second, whether, in addition to the duration of deep sleep, the quality of sleep also influences the progression of the disease. If better sleep quality actually contributes to fewer harmful proteins accumulating, treating sleep disorders could actually be an approach to combating Alzheimer’s disease. In a new research project, Dr. Hönig and her team now want to continue studying the subjects for a further 18 months.
About dementia researcher Merle Hönig
Dr. Merle Hönig has already received several awards for her research. For her work “Resistance to Tau and Amyloid Pathology Facilitates Super-Aging,” she received the “Brain Imaging Council Young Investigator Award” and the “Image of the Year Award” from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. In this study, she and her team showed that the brains of so-called super-agers – people over 80 years old with exceptional mental performance – are resistant to the accumulation of proteins typical of Alzheimer’s.
Press release and photos
More information about Alzheimer’s disease
www.alzheimer-forschung.de/alzheimer
About the Alzheimer Research Initiative eV
The non-profit Alzheimer Research Initiative eV (AFI) has been supporting Alzheimer’s and dementia research since 1995. The AFI provides information about dementia with free brochures and extensive information on the website www.alzheimer-forschung.de. To date, the association has funded 390 research activities with 16.2 million euros and distributed over 925,000 guidelines and brochures. The AFI is financed primarily through private donations and does not cooperate with the pharmaceutical industry. As a holder of the donation certificate from the German Donation Council, the association is committed to transparent use of donations. The AFI is a member of the National Dementia Strategy network. The ambassador is the journalist and sports presenter Okka Gundel.
Press contact:
Alzheimer Research Initiative eV (AFI)
Astrid Marxen
Kreuzstraße 34
40210 Düsseldorf
0211 – 86 20 66 28
presse@alzheimer-forschung.de
www.alzheimer-forschung.de/presse
Original content from: Alzheimer Research Initiative e. V., transmitted by news aktuell
How does deep sleep affect the progression of Alzheimer’s disease?
Table of Contents
The Crucial Role of Sleep in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, causing memory loss, cognitive decline, and eventually, death. According to the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 70-80% of all dementia cases [[2]]. While the exact causes of Alzheimer’s are still not fully understood, researchers have made significant progress in uncovering the mysteries of this disease. One such area of research is the connection between sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s.
The “Dishwasher” of the Brain: Deep Sleep
Deep sleep, a stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, plays a vital role in maintaining brain health. During deep sleep, the brain undergoes a process of cleaning and detoxification, removing harmful substances like amyloid-beta and tau proteins [[3]]. These proteins are known to accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, leading to cognitive decline and eventually, cell death. Dr. Merle Hönig, a renowned dementia researcher, explains that in healthy brains, deep sleep acts as a “dishwasher,” removing these harmful substances and maintaining brain health.
Study on Deep Sleep and Alzheimer’s
Dr. Hönig and her team conducted a study to investigate the connection between deep sleep and Alzheimer’s disease. They monitored the deep sleep patterns of subjects in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and compared them to those of a healthy control group. The study used electronic headbands to record sleep phases and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure the amount of harmful protein deposits in the brain.
Initial Findings and Further Research
The initial results of the study showed that shorter deep sleep phases are associated with greater deposits of amyloid-beta and tau proteins in the brain. The PET scans revealed a clear connection between shortened deep sleep and increased protein deposits, leading to an accelerated progression of the disease. Further research is needed to determine whether the duration of deep sleep can provide an indication of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and whether improving sleep quality can actually contribute to fewer harmful protein deposits.
The Potential of Sleep Disorders in Combating Alzheimer’s
The study raises important questions about the role of sleep in Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment. If treating sleep disorders can help prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s, it could be a crucial step in the fight against this disease. Dr. Hönig and her team plan to continue their research, studying the subjects for an additional 18 months to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between sleep and Alzheimer’s.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex and multifaceted disorder that affects memory, thinking, judgment, language, problem-solving, personality, and movement [[3]]. It is estimated that 70-80% of all dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s, making it the most common form of dementia [[1]]. While the exact causes of Alzheimer’s are still not fully understood, research has shed light on the underlying biological processes that contribute to the disease.
The Alzheimer Research Initiative eV
The Alzheimer Research Initiative eV (AFI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Since 1995, the AFI has funded 390 research activities with 16.2 million euros and distributed over 925,000 guidelines and brochures. The organization is financed primarily through private donations and does not cooperate with the pharmaceutical industry.
the study by Dr. Hönig and her team highlights the crucial role of sleep in the fight against Alzheimer’s. By understanding the connection between sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s, researchers may be able to uncover new avenues for prevention and treatment. As the Alzheimer Research Initiative eV continues to support research into this devastating disease, we may be one step closer to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s.
References:
Resources for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals while also funding innovative research projects aimed at improving the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Crucial Role of Sleep in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
As the world grapples with the growing threat of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers are increasingly turning their attention to the often-overlooked role of sleep in preventing and combating this devastating condition. A recent study by the University Hospital of Cologne and the Jülich Research Center has shed new light on the connection between sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s, suggesting that treating sleep disorders could be a vital step in preventing the disease.
Deep Sleep: The Brain’s “Dishwasher”
Dr. Merle Hönig, a leading dementia researcher, explains that deep sleep plays a crucial role in removing harmful substances from the brain, including amyloid-beta and tau proteins, which are considered key contributors to Alzheimer’s. In healthy brains, these cleaning processes take place during sleep, but in Alzheimer’s patients, this process is disrupted, leading to the accumulation of these proteins and ultimately, to the death of nerve cells.
The Importance of Deep Sleep Duration
The duration of deep sleep, in particular, seems to play a critical role. Dr. Hönig’s study found that shortened deep sleep phases over a longer period are considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. To investigate this connection further, her team examined the deep sleep of subjects in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and compared the results with those of a healthy control group.
Initial Findings and Further Research
The initial results of the study show that shorter deep sleep phases are associated with greater deposits of amyloid-beta and tau proteins. The PET scans used in the study revealed a clear connection between shortened deep sleep and increased protein deposits in the brain. Furthermore, the study found that subjects suffering from Alzheimer’s had shorter deep sleep phases and woke up more often during the night, which could further accelerate the progression of the disease.
Treating Sleep Disorders: A Potential Approach to Combating Alzheimer’s
Dr. Hönig’s findings raise important questions about the potential role of sleep in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s. If better sleep quality can indeed reduce the accumulation of harmful proteins, treating sleep disorders could be a crucial step in combating the disease. In a new research project, Dr. Hönig and her team will continue to study the subjects for a further 18 months to explore this link further.
About Dr. Merle Hönig
Dr. Hönig is a renowned dementia researcher who has received several awards for her work, including the “Brain Imaging Council Young Investigator Award” and the “Image of the Year Award” from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. Her research has focused on the connection between sleep and Alzheimer’s, and her work has shed new light on the importance of treating sleep disorders in preventing and combating the disease.
The Alzheimer Research Initiative e.V.
The non-profit Alzheimer Research Initiative eV (AFI) has been supporting Alzheimer’s and dementia research since 1995. The AFI provides information about dementia with free brochures and extensive
