Jordan News

Sleep and health are closely related. A new study by scientists from Brigham and Women’s Clinic examined the relationship between sleep disturbance and poor sleep in older adults and the risk of dementia and death. They found that the risk of dementia was twice as high among participants who reported sleeping less than five hours a night, compared to those who slept 7-8 hours. The team also found a link between sleep disruption and sleep deprivation with an overall risk of death. The results were published in the journal Aging.

Lead author Dr. Rebecca Robbins, from the Sleep and Circumstances Unit, said: “Our findings highlight the link between lack of sleep and the risk of dementia, and reinforce the importance of efforts to help older adults get enough sleep.”

Overall, scientists have found a strong association between several variable disorders, poor sleep, and dementia that develops over time. Sleeping for half an hour or more was associated with a 45% increased risk of dementia. Regular difficulty maintaining alertness, napping, reports of poor sleep quality, and sleeping for up to five hours were also associated with an increased risk of death.