Recent research has unveiled a significant connection between delayed rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study, which involved 128 participants aged 50 and older, suggests that longer REM sleep latency (REML) could indicate a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's, marking a potential shift in how sleep patterns are considered in relation to cognitive health.
The participants were divided into three groups: 64 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, 41 with mild cognitive impairment, and the remaining with normal cognitive function. The findings revealed that those with the longest REML exhibited elevated levels of phosphorylated tau at threonine 181 (p-tau181) and amyloid beta, both of which are known indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, participants with prolonged REML showed lower levels of plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor compared to their counterparts with shorter REML.
This pilot study, although limited in scope, proposes that monitoring REM sleep could serve as a valuable tool in predicting the onset of dementia. "The delay to the first REM episode is associated with increased Alzheimer’s Disease biomarkers," stated Giulio Taglialatela, PhD, a leading researcher on the project. He emphasized the need for further studies to establish the clinical relevance of these findings.
The research highlights the importance of REM sleep, often overshadowed by slow-wave sleep in previous studies. It suggests that not only the duration but also the timing of entering REM sleep may have implications for cognitive health. Participants' cognitive status or their APOE ε4 genetic status did not influence the results, indicating that the relationship between REML and Alzheimer’s biomarkers is robust across different cognitive profiles.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke corroborates that increases in plasma p-tau181 and neurofilament light (NfL) are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This study adds to this understanding by identifying a meaningful link between REM sleep latency and these critical biomarkers.
Despite the compelling findings, the researchers caution that the study only involved one night of sleep monitoring, which may not accurately reflect participants' typical sleep patterns. Therefore, they recommend further investigation into the biological mechanisms behind REM sleep latency and its potential role in Alzheimer’s disease progression.
“Relationships between sleep patterns and risk of developing dementia have been noted in the past. This study points to a specific perturbation (delayed first REM episode), shedding some light on the specificity of sleep/dementia connection,” Dr. Taglialatela remarked. He further stated that monitoring delayed first REM episodes may represent a marker to predict later development of dementia, but stressed that "many more studies are needed to bring this observation to clinical relevance."
The implications of these findings could lead to new avenues for Alzheimer’s disease prevention and intervention strategies. Addressing prolonged REML might not only enhance understanding but could also potentially modify the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
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