Alzheimer's disease can have devastating effects as it progresses, so medical researchers are continually investigating the factors that influence and indicate the onset of the disorder. To encourage elderly individuals to seek medical treatment as early as possible, the Alzheimer's Association has published a list of 10 warning signs for friends and loved ones to look out for. These cues generally involve minor bouts of memory loss and general confusion, even when completing simple routine tasks.
Now, scientists may have discovered another indicator to add to the list. This month, the scientific journal Science Translational Medicine published a study indicating that sleep abnormalities could be linked to Alzheimer's. To determine this, researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis observed the behavior and natural sleep patterns of mice that had developed a form of brain plaque known to be an early indicator of Alzheimer's.
An article from the university website explains that, when this plaque initially began to form in the subjects' brains, their sleeping patterns were altered as well. Instead of sleeping 40 minutes out of every hour during the day, as mice typically do, the mice only slept for about 30 minutes per hour once the degenerative buildup appeared.
This abnormality, if it also presents itself in humans with the condition, may not necessarily take the same form, said Professor David Holtzman, MD, the head of the university's neurology department. Instead of simply sleeping less, patients may have other issues that disrupt their regular patterns, such as trouble remaining asleep.
But, if further research indicates that this sort abnormality is connected to Alzheimer's, Holzman says that medical practitioners may be able refer to patient's sleeping patterns to determine the effectiveness of their brain support treatments.
Although a cure for the disease has not been found, in some cases, taking daily memory supplements may be able to delay the onset Alzheimer's and promote overall brain health. Click to find out more about our brain and sleep support supplements.