A recent study has revealed that poor sleep in early middle age can lead to significant brain ageing. Researchers found that individuals with high levels of poor sleep habits had an average brain age of 2.6 years older than those with better sleep patterns. This finding is crucial as it highlights the connection between sleep quality and brain health.
The study, conducted by a team at the University of California, San Francisco, involved 589 participants, whose average age was around 40. They filled out sleep questionnaires at the start of the study and again five years later. After 15 years, researchers used brain scans to assess the participants’ brain health.
Clémence Cavaillès, the study’s lead author, stated, “Our study, which used brain scans to determine participants’ brain age, suggests that poor sleep is linked to nearly three years of additional brain ageing as early as middle age.” This link between sleep quality and brain health is concerning, especially since poor sleep habits have already been associated with cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia.
Participants were classified into three groups based on their sleep habits: low, middle, and high levels of poor sleep. Those in the middle group had brains that were, on average, 1.6 years older than those with low levels of poor sleep. This finding shows a clear trend: the worse the sleep, the older the brain appears.
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To combat these issues, the study emphasizes the need for early intervention. Kristine Yaffe, another author of the study, recommends maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, engaging in regular exercise, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime. The researchers stress the importance of addressing sleep problems early to protect brain health and potentially prevent cognitive decline as people age.
-Agencies
