Posted on 05/05/2023 10:34:30 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
A deep slumber might help buffer against memory loss for older adults facing a heightened burden of Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.
Deep sleep, also known as non-REM slow-wave sleep, can act as a "cognitive reserve factor" that may increase resilience against a protein in the brain called beta-amyloid that is linked to memory loss caused by dementia. The new research reveals that superior amounts of deep, slow-wave sleep can act as a protective factor against memory decline in those with existing high amounts of Alzheimer's disease pathology—a potentially significant advance.
The researchers recruited 62 older adults from the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study. Participants, who were healthy adults and not diagnosed with dementia, slept in a lab while researchers monitored their sleep waves with an electroencephalography (EEG) machine. Researchers also used a positron emission tomography (PET) scan to measure the amount of beta-amyloid deposits in the participants' brains. Half of the participants had high amounts of amyloid deposits; the other half did not.
Those with high amounts of beta-amyloid deposits in their brain who also experienced higher levels of deep sleep performed better on the memory test than those with the same amount of deposits but who slept worse. This compensatory boost was limited to the group with amyloid deposits. In the group without pathology, deep sleep had no additional supportive effect on memory.
Walker likened deep sleep to a rescue effort.
Chief among those areas for improvement? Stick to a regular sleep schedule, stay mentally and physically active during the day, create a cool and dark sleep environment and minimize things like coffee late in the day and screen time before bed. A warm shower before turning in for the night has also been shown to increase the quality of deep, slow-wave sleep, Zavecz said.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Good Cpap machines, which require an RX for and a good fitting mask, help to get a good night’s sleep.
I get 2-3 hours sleep a night and very little deep sleep. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.
I guess I am screwed as I don’t get deep sleep.
What’s a good knock-out drug? I’m asking for a friend.
Older bladders often interfere with a good night’s sleep.
Me getting up every few hours to go to the bathroom does not help..... : )
Of course that could be solved by not drinking water and soda or having cereal or ice cream after dinner. The afternoon naps I have several times a week help.
Gosh I am getting old : )
I show remarkable sleep improvement w my CPAP. I’ve been using it over three years now. I wear a recording pulse oximeter at night and can really see the difference.
Saw palmetto, stinging nettle root, and bee pollen, and I can usually make it through the night. I can recommend this for men. Perhaps some lady can make a recommendation for the fair sex.
Of course, it’s best to avoid late-night tea. I wonder about chocolate also.
I can also suggest lycopene, mangosteen powder, boron, and pygeum.
Beta sitosterol can also help.
“I show remarkable sleep improvement w my CPAP. I’ve been using it over three years now. I wear a recording pulse oximeter at night and can really see the difference.”
20+ years ago, I did a remote sleep test at home, and I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. 2 weeks later I had my first cpap machine. Big and loud
All of the machines have worked, and my current one/ResMed is the best. I get a simple graphic readout each morning showing how I did on the machine. An hour or so later I use my chrome book to log on their website for a thourough breakdown of that night’s therapy.
My solution is to stop drinking fluids after dinner : )
Agree 100%. Got mine about 15 years ago & we went to KC for the weekend for my son’s baseball tournament so I decided not to bring it. I about fell asleep a dozen times driving home. I never go anywhere overnight without it.
“I never go anywhere overnight without it.”
The same rule is followed here.
I grew a beard, so mine’s shelved.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.