Just like eating and drinking, sleeping is necessary for the body to function. For years, scientists have studied the impact of sleep on overall health. One major area receiving a lot of attention over this past year is the effect of sleep on both dementia in general and Alzheimer’s disease. Although research is still ongoing and answers are still needed, medical professionals agree sleep plays an important role in keeping the brain healthy.
Although it is recommended most adults receive 7 or more hours of sleep each night, many people struggle with getting enough shut-eye.
Previous research shows sleep deprivation to be a
Another global health concern receiving much attention lately is that of dementia, in general, and a specific type of dementia known as Alzheimer’s disease.
Right now, more than
Because sleep is important for a variety of
Let us take a closer look at why sleep is so important for brain health and some of the ways scientists believe sleep correlates with dementia risk.
According to Dr. Karen D. Sullivan, a board-certified neuropsychologist and owner of I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN, sleep is a staple of physical and mental health including brain health:
“There are several major functions that occur during sleep including memory consolidation, emotional processing, and a deep cleaning process. In deep sleep, our
cerebrospinal fluid and the brain’s immune system clear away waste products from our brain cells.”
“When we are awake, neurons produce a chemical called
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