A study has found that difficulties sleeping can raise the risk of developing dementia as well as memory problems.
Participants in the study who suffered from chronic insomnia were 40% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment and to face an increased risk of dementia.
“Insomnia doesn’t just affect how you feel the next day, it may also impact your brain health over time,” said paper author Diego Carvalho of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
“We saw faster decline in thinking skills and changes in the brain that suggest chronic insomnia could be an early warning sign or even a contributor to future cognitive problems,” he added.
The study tracked 2,750 adults with an average age of 70 over more than five years. Among them, 16% had chronic insomnia, defined as trouble sleeping at least three times a week for three months or longer.
After five years, researchers found that 14% of those with insomnia had developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
