When people grow older they sleep less. This commonly accepted change can cause many problems for those who are taking care of an elderly person who has Alzheimer's. It is not just about someone staying awake at night, but about the chances of that person getting confused and wandering or having an accident in the house. Often the caretakers lose well needed sleep, and there is a niggling doubt that the sleeplessness is due to bad management of the patient's routine during the day.
For the first time, there is research which looks at the physical reason for this lack of sleep. The Sa[er lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found that certain inhibitory neurons were reponsible for making us sleep. When these neurons are lost in elderly people or those with Alzheimer's the ability to sleep normally is greatly reduced.
The researchers have tested their hypothesis by analysing data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, which has been studying of aging and dementia in almost 1000 people since 1997. This is a remarkable study, healthy subjects entered at the age of 65, and they are followed for the rest of their lives. When they die, their brains are donated for research.
"The fewer the neurons, the more fragmented the sleep became." says Saper. The study may lead to new methods to decrease sleep problems in the elderly and prevent sleep-deprivation-related cognitive decline in people with dementia. Read more about the research here.
For the first time, there is research which looks at the physical reason for this lack of sleep. The Sa[er lab at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found that certain inhibitory neurons were reponsible for making us sleep. When these neurons are lost in elderly people or those with Alzheimer's the ability to sleep normally is greatly reduced.
The researchers have tested their hypothesis by analysing data from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, which has been studying of aging and dementia in almost 1000 people since 1997. This is a remarkable study, healthy subjects entered at the age of 65, and they are followed for the rest of their lives. When they die, their brains are donated for research.
"The fewer the neurons, the more fragmented the sleep became." says Saper. The study may lead to new methods to decrease sleep problems in the elderly and prevent sleep-deprivation-related cognitive decline in people with dementia. Read more about the research here.
