A study has shown that proper sleep at night helps clean out the protein, whose accumulation has been associated with the affliction of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study’s lead author said frequent sleep irregularity could lead to accumulation of the amyloid-beta protein. It is generally thought that the protein’s plaques play an important role in the disease’s occurrence.
Dr. Jurgen Claassen, from Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherland, said, “We think normal healthy sleep helps reduce the amount of (amyloid) beta in the brain and if your sleep is disturbed this decrease is prevented.”
The research showed that even lack of sleep during a single night triggers the protein’s levels to reach abnormally high levels.
Researchers from Temple University in Philadelphia have also found that individuals with chronic sleep disruptions could face an earlier onset of the Alzheimer's disease.
The Alzheimer’s disease is considered as an incurable and fatal degenerative disease. According to World Health Organization, some 35 million people are afflicted with the disease, while 115 million people are anticipated to get afflicted by 2050.
“We think the beta is cleared from the brain or less produced during sleep,” Claassen said.
He said, “We did a complete night of sleep deprivation which is kind of extreme, but it’s similar to a week of partial sleep deprivation.” “Based on this and other studies, it would be good to have people look at their sleep behaviors, but not be frightened themselves if they miss a good night’s sleep.”
HN/H