Excessive Daytime Sleepiness May Indicate Early Signs of Dementia

Older adults experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness or reduced motivation for daily tasks may be at higher risk of developing motoric cognitive risk (MCR), a pre-dementia condition that can lead to dementia.

Daytime Sleepiness Linked to Early Signs of MCR

These findings, from a new study by researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, link daytime sleepiness to key indicators of motoric cognitive risk (MCR), such as mild memory lapses and slower walking speed.

This connection could enable healthcare providers to identify dementia risk early, creating opportunities to implement measures that might prevent its progression.

“Our study highlights the importance of screening for sleep problems,” says lead author and geriatrician Victoire Leroy.

“There’s a possibility that addressing sleep issues early could help prevent cognitive decline later in life,” says Leroy.

Study Tracks Sleep, Memory, and Mobility in Older Adults

Leroy and her team studied 445 adults over the age of 65, with an average age of 76, who showed no signs of dementia. Over an average of three years, participants completed annual surveys assessing their memory, sleep habits, and daily activity levels. Their walking speed was also monitored on treadmills.

During the study, 35.5% of those identified with excessive daytime sleepiness and low motivation developed motoric cognitive risk (MCR). In contrast, only 6.7% of participants without these symptoms developed the condition.

While the research doesn’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it indicates that excessive daytime sleepiness and lethargy might be early indicators of MCR. After adjusting for factors like age, sex, and health conditions—including depression—those with these symptoms were found to be three times more likely to develop MCR.

“Our findings underscore the importance of early screening for sleep disturbances as a potential preventive measure against cognitive decline,” the researchers conclude in their published paper.

Early diagnosis of dementia—or pre-dementia—has long been recognized as critical, and growing evidence suggests that many cases could be prevented if identified early enough.

Motoric Cognitive Risk and Dementia

Previous studies indicate that individuals with motoric cognitive risk (MCR) are approximately three times more likely to develop dementia than the general population, particularly vascular dementia, which results from reduced blood flow to the brain.

This research points to excessive daytime sleepiness and sluggishness as potential early indicators of dementia risk. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the connection and underlying mechanisms.

“More research is necessary to explore the link between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline, as well as the role of motoric cognitive risk syndrome,” says Leroy. “We also need investigations to uncover the processes that connect these sleep issues to MCR and cognitive deterioration.”

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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