The results of the new study, published in the journal Neurology, showed that people with sleep problems had greater changes in brain structures 15 years after the study began, even after taking into account other risk factors such as age, gender, hypertension and diabetes. Simply put, participants who reported more sleep problems they had brains 2.6 years older than those who slept well.
Dr. Clemence Cavailles of the University of California, San Francisco, said previous research has linked sleep problems with poorer thinking and memory skills in old age, which increases the risk of dementia. The results of a new study suggest that poor sleep can accelerate brain aging already in middle age.
Kristine Yaffe, a researcher at the University of California and member of the American Academy of Neurology, emphasizes how important it is to address sleep problems earlier in life to maintain brain health. She recommends maintaining a regular sleep schedule, exercising regularly, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, and using relaxation techniques.
Source: geekweek.interia.pl
