Sleep deprivation ‘linked to memory loss in later life’

People who fail to maintain regular and healthy sleeping patterns could be at a heightened risk of being affected by memory problems later in life.

A study led by the Washington University School of Medicine assessed the sleep patterns of 100 people between the ages of 45 and 80 who were free of dementia over two weeks in order to evaluate this potential link.

It was found that those who awoke regularly during the night or spent less than 85 percent of the time in bed actually sleeping were more likely to be affected by a build-up of amyloid plaques, a recognised marker of Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers said that further studies are now needed to determine whether this is a cause-effect relationship, as well as finding out the direction of this interrelation.

Dr Yo-El Ju from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis said: "Our study lays the groundwork for investigating whether manipulating sleep is a possible strategy in the prevention or slowing of Alzheimer's disease."

Last month, a report from Inserm and the University College London revealed that cognitive decline associated with age may begin as early as 45, which is much earlier than was previously believed.