Sleep disturbances tied to higher Alzheimer's risk in men

Elderly men with self-reported sleep disturbances run a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a new study has found.
For the study, researchers from Uppsala University followed more than 1,000 men, who were initially 50 year old, between the years 1970 and 2010.
The results of the study showed that self-reported sleep disturbances were linked to an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease during the 40-year follow-up period, particularly if they occurred late in life.
The data suggest that a regular good night's sleep could support brain health in men.
"We demonstrate that men with self-reported sleep disturbances run a 1.5-fold higher risk to develop Alzheimer's disease than those without reports of sleep disturbances during a 40-year follow-up period," said Christian Benedict, a researcher at Uppsala University, who led the study.

"The later the self-reported sleep disturbance was found the higher the risk was for developing Alzheimer's disease.

"These findings suggest that strategies aimed at improving sleep quality in late life may help reduce the risk to develop Alzheimer's disease'," Benedict said.
"Importantly, there are several lifestyle factors, such as exercise, that can influence your brain's health. Thus, it must be borne in mind that a multifaceted lifestyle approach comprising good sleep habits is essential for maintaining brain health as you age," said Benedict.
The results of the study are published in the scientific journal Alzheimer's & Dementia.