Circadian Rhythm Linked to Dementia Risk

A big study with over 2,000 people aged around 79 found that those with a strong internal body clock, called the circadian rhythm, had a much lower chance of getting dementia.

The circadian rhythm helps control sleep, hormones, and other daily processes.

People with weaker or more disrupted rhythms were more likely to develop dementia over three years.

Poor sleep, which is often linked to disrupted rhythms, has been suspected to contribute to both dementia and heart disease.

The study considered factors like heart health and blood pressure but not sleep apnoea.

Addressing physical inactivity and improving sleep quality might help reduce dementia risk.

The immune system and the removal of toxic proteins from the brain during sleep are also being studied.

However, it's still not clear if sleep disruption alone causes dementia or if it's part of a bigger picture involving lifestyle and health factors.

The study suggests that improving sleep is important, but more research is needed to understand its role in preventing dementia.