Sleep Quality Linked to Brain Aging: Study
A recent study involving over 27,000 people has revealed a significant link between sleep quality and brain aging. Researchers from the University of Basel found that poor sleep can make our brains age faster than our bodies.
The study evaluated sleep quality on five key parameters: sleep duration, insomnia, snoring/apnea, daytime sleepiness, and chronotype. It found that each one-point decrease in 'sleep score' out of five ages the brain by about six months. People with sleep problems had brains that were, on average, a year older than their actual age.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that lack of sleep disrupts crucial brain processes. This disruption accelerates neuron degeneration and brain aging. During deep sleep, the glymphatic system in the brain clears it of toxic substances and repairs damaged cells. Lack of sleep prevents this process, leading to the accumulation of harmful substances, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This, in turn, negatively affects brain health and accelerates its aging.
The study underscores the importance of good sleep for brain health and longevity. It suggests that maintaining good sleep quality could help slow down brain aging. Further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms behind this link and to develop targeted interventions.
