Mind & Mood
Sleeping five hours or less may raise dementia risk
In the journals
Getting enough sleep is another way to protect yourself from dementia, according to a study published online Feb. 11, 2021, by the journal Aging.
Sleep data were collected from about 2,600 adults ages 65 and older. Those who slept less than five hours per night had almost double the risk of being diagnosed with dementia over five years compared with those who slept the recommended seven to nine hours. Poor sleep quality or taking longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep each night also was associated with an increased dementia risk.
In addition to the link between inadequate or poor-quality sleep and dementia, the researchers found a greater risk of dying earlier than expected. These findings support the results of similar observational studies.
About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
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