Tossing and turning, overthinking and worrying are all too common in older adults who struggle with falling – and staying – asleep. Except for feeling a little foggy the following morning, however, along with feeling the need for an afternoon snooze to catch up on lost sleep, the actual repercussions have seemed negligible. That is, until research recently suggested a potential link between senior sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.
Deep sleep allows the brain to remove harmful toxins, including the amyloid plaques linked with Alzheimer’s disease, and it seems that a build-up of these harmful toxins is shown to cause damage to the brains of laboratory animals. Consequently, a human study is starting to better understand the connection and its impact.
By using a powerful MRI system, the strength of the brain’s signal to get rid of toxins can be analyzed: a strong signal in brains whose toxin removal is successful, and a weaker signal in people who could possibly be developing Alzheimer’s. The goal will be to assess if deficiencies in deep sleep does, actually, affect the likelihood of a future Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and if that's the case, to figure out the best treatment methods to improve sleep quality.
The challenge in the human leg of this trial will be in assisting people feel at ease enough in the MRI device to experience the natural phases of sleep, between the noise and cramped and in some cases claustrophobia-inducing quarters. However, it’s a lot more feasible and less-intrusive option than the lab animal study, which involved developing a window in the skull and watching the brain together with a strong microscope and laser. And the payoffs might be life-changing: identifying those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease due to insufficient sleep, and opening doors to innovative treatment solutions.
Per Bill Rooney, director of Oregon Health & Science University’s Advanced Imaging Research Center, “It could be anything from having people exercise more regularly, or new drugs. A lot of the sleep aids don't particularly focus on driving people to deep sleep stages.”
Financing for human trials is now in place, and the study is scheduled to begin this year.
Are you providing care for a senior loved one in DuPage County and finding it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep? Or does your loved one have a problem with sundowning and other senior sleep disorders that make evening sleeping hard for both of you? Contact DuPage County home care experts, Independence-4-Seniors Home Care, for overnight respite care, offering you the chance to sleep while knowing your loved one is safe and sound and well cared for!