Study Indicates Daytime Sleepiness in Elderly May Increase Dementia Risk

A recent study published in *Neurology*, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, has found that older adults who feel drowsy during the day or lack motivation may be at higher risk for a syndrome that could eventually lead to dementia. The syndrome, known as motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, is a condition where people experience slower walking speeds and mild memory concerns. However, these individuals do not yet have dementia or any serious mobility issues.

The study highlights a connection between sleep-related problems, such as excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of drive to complete tasks, and the likelihood of developing MCR syndrome. However, this research does not confirm that sleep problems cause MCR syndrome; it only shows that there is a link between the two.

Dr. Victoire Leroy, the study’s lead author from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, explained that the study underlines the importance of identifying and addressing sleep issues in older adults. She suggested that receiving help for their sleep-related problems might reduce their risk of cognitive decline as they age.

The research involved 445 participants who were around 76 years old on average and did not have dementia. At the beginning of the study, each person completed a questionnaire on their sleep habits, and their walking speed was measured using a treadmill. Participants also provided information on any memory problems they might have. The assessments were repeated each year for about three years.

In the sleep questionnaire, participants answered questions about their sleep challenges, such as how often they had trouble staying asleep, falling asleep within 30 minutes, or waking up feeling too hot or cold. They were also asked if they used medication to help them sleep. Additional questions assessed how frequently participants felt sleepy during the day, including situations like driving, eating, or socializing. The survey also asked how motivated they felt to accomplish tasks and if they had trouble maintaining enthusiasm.

By the end of the study, researchers classified 177 participants as “poor sleepers” and 268 as “good sleepers.” At the start, 42 people already showed signs of MCR syndrome, while another 36 developed it during the study period.

When the data was analyzed, researchers found that about 35.5% of the people with both excessive daytime sleepiness and low enthusiasm developed MCR syndrome, compared to only 6.7% of those without these sleep issues. After adjusting for other factors that might influence the syndrome, like age, depression, and other health conditions, the study showed that people with excessive daytime sleepiness and low motivation were more than three times as likely to develop MCR syndrome compared to those without these symptoms.

Dr. Leroy emphasized that further studies are needed better to understand the connection between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline. She also mentioned the importance of studying how MCR syndrome might contribute to or be influenced by sleep-related issues and cognitive decline.

A limitation of this study was that participants reported their own sleep experiences, which might not always be fully accurate. This factor could affect the reliability of some findings.

The National Institute on Aging funded the research, showing the importance of ongoing support for studies investigating factors contributing to dementia and cognitive decline in older adults.

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