Can Disrupted Sleep Impact Your Memory Later in Life? New Study Says Yes

A recent study by researchers at the University of California in San Francisco reveals an association between sleep quality and cognitive health. Published on January 3, 2024, in the online issue of Neurology, the study suggests that individuals experiencing more disrupted sleep in their 30s and 40s may face a 100% increased likelihood of memory and thinking problems a decade later. These findings highlight that the quality of your sleep, rather than quantity, may significantly impact your cognitive well-being as you enter middle age. Read on to learn more about the study’s findings and how sleeping better today could boost your cognitive function in years to come.

What the Study Found 

The research involved 526 participants with an average age of 40, tracked over an extensive 11-year period. Participants' sleep duration, quality and fragmentation were closely examined. Notably, those with the most disrupted sleep, characterized by repetitive short interruptions, showed a significant correlation with poor cognitive performance a decade later.

The findings indicate that participants with the most disrupted sleep had more than twice the odds of experiencing poor cognitive performance compared to those with the least disrupted sleep, even after adjusting for various factors such as age, sex, race and education. Notably, the amount of time spent sleeping and participants’ subjective reports on the quality of their sleep didn’t show a significant association with cognitive performance in middle age.

“Given that signs of Alzheimer's disease start to accumulate in the brain several decades before symptoms begin, understanding the connection between sleep and cognition earlier in life is critical for understanding the role of sleep problems as a risk factor for the disease,” said study author Yue Leng, Ph.D., lead study author at the University of California, San Francisco, in a statement.

The study also highlights the potential life stages when sleep may be more strongly linked to cognition. Dr. Leng suggests that further research in this area could pave the way for new opportunities in Alzheimer’s disease prevention later in life. “More research is needed to assess the link between sleep disturbances and cognition at different stages of life and to identify if critical life periods exist when sleep is more strongly associated with cognition,” stated Leng.

While the study offers valuable insights into the intricate relationship between disrupted sleep and cognitive health, it acknowledges limitations such as a relatively small sample size, preventing a comprehensive exploration of potential race or sex differences. Despite these constraints, the study urges the scientific community to delve deeper into the nuanced connections between sleep patterns and cognitive function, opening avenues for future research that could provide preventative measures for cognitive decline.

The Bottom Line 

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of California in San Francisco explores the impact of disrupted sleep on cognitive health and its role as a potential risk factor for memory and cognitive problems later in life. Its main finding was that consistently experiencing disrupted sleep in your 30s and 40s may lead to twice the likelihood of developing memory and cognitive issues in your 50s and beyond. If you’re experiencing challenges with your sleep quality, speak with your healthcare provider or a sleep expert who can help address your sleep issues.

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