Is sleeping too much an early sign of Alzheimer’s? Here’s what research says

People who sleep for more than seven hours may be at a higher risk of experiencing cognitive decline and developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study.

Scientists from the University of Warwick stressed that getting the right amount of sleep is crucial for long-term health. They referred to recent research that recommends adults aim for approximately seven hours of sleep each night.

Connection between sleep and Alzheimer

Getting either too much or too little sleep, beyond the recommended "sweet spot" of seven hours, can lead to serious health problems.


If someone regularly sleeps less than seven hours a night, they are at a higher risk of developing conditions like depression, heart disease, and obesity.

How did they go about the study?

Under the leadership of Professor Jianfeng Feng from the School of Computer Science at the University of Warwick, researchers analysed sleep data from nearly half a million adults in the UK, aged between 38 and 73.

The results of the study, published in Nature Mental Health, have been described by scientists as a "paradigm shift" in understanding the crucial link between sleep patterns and overall health.

Participants were asked about their typical nightly sleep duration. Based on their responses, the researchers categorised them into two groups: 'short sleepers' (those who slept less than seven hours) and 'long sleepers' (those who slept more than seven hours).

The participants' sleep habits were then analysed alongside various health outcomes, genetic data, and brain scans to assess the broader impact of sleep duration on overall health.

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What did the study suggest?

Researchers discovered a link between the habit of staying in bed longer and conditions like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.

However, they clarified that hitting the snooze button or sleeping longer may be a sign or symptom of these conditions rather than the cause of them.

The study also found that long sleepers were more likely to show signs of cognitive decline, experience higher levels of inflammation, and have lower amounts of "good" cholesterol (HDL).

Brain scans revealed that long sleepers had brain matter loss in areas linked to memory and Alzheimer's risk.

Short sleepers, on the other hand, were more likely to experience low mood, fatigue, and conditions like depression, heart disease, and obesity.

They also had poorer bone and muscle health and a higher risk of vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin D.

Brain scans showed reduced brain matter in areas related to emotion in short sleepers.

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FAQs:

What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the brain, leading to memory loss, confusion, and changes in behaviour. It is the most common cause of dementia, a group of symptoms that impair cognitive function.

What are the early signs of Alzheimer?
Early signs of Alzheimer's include memory loss, confusion, difficulty completing tasks, poor judgment, and mood or personality changes.