A recent study suggests that poor sleep in middle age could accelerate brain aging, the effects of which could be felt up to a decade later.
According to research, led by Dr. Kristine Yaffe of the University of California, San Francisco, sleep problems at age 40 can have a considerable impact on brain health, highlighting the importance of correcting these habits early to avoid long-term complications.
The study looked at nearly 600 adults aged around 40, who completed a questionnaire about their sleep at the start of the study and again five years later. The researchers focused on various sleep characteristics, such as duration, quality, difficulties falling or staying asleep, early awakening, and daytime sleepiness.
Based on these characteristics, participants were classified into three groups: the low group, with few or no sleep problems, the medium group, with two or three characteristics, and the high group, with four to six sleep problems. dream.
Fifteen years after the start of the study, participants underwent brain scans to calculate their “brain age.” After adjusting for variables such as age, sex, hypertension and diabetes, The researchers found that the brains of individuals in the medium group were, on average, 1.6 years older than those in the low group. In the tall group, the difference was even more significant: their brains were 2.6 years older.
One of the most notable findings of the study is that certain sleep problems, such as poor sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep, and early waking, are directly related to further brain aging, especially if they persist for at least five years.
Dr. Yaffe stressed that these results do not prove that lack of sleep causes premature brain aging, but rather they reveal an important correlation. Additionally, the research was funded by the National Institute on Aging, highlighting interest in the connection between sleep habits and cognitive health.
Sleep problems
One limitation of the study is that participants subjectively reported their sleep problems, which could have affected the accuracy of the results. Despite this, The researchers concluded that it is necessary to continue exploring ways to improve sleep quality and its long-term impact on brain health, especially in younger people.
The impact of sleep on brain health is not an isolated issue. A separate study, published in the journal Neurology and conducted by researchers at Yale University, found that middle-aged adults with uncontrolled risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar or cholesterol, and who They also do not exercise, do not follow a healthy diet or have sleep problems, They are at higher risk of stroke, dementia and depression later in life.
This body of research highlights the importance of adopting healthy sleep habits from a young age. Experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep each night to maintain optimal brain function.
Furthermore, techniques such as establishing a consistent sleep schedule, getting regular exercise, reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption before bed and the use of relaxation techniques can be key to avoiding sleep problems and their long-term negative effects.
The impact of poor sleep habits on brain health remains an active area of study, and future research could shed more light on how to improve sleep quality to mitigate its effects on cognitive health.
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