Health · Medical Research · 6 hrs ago
Frequent and unplanned naps linked to higher dementia risk
Researchers followed more than 990 adults aged 65 and older in the United States for up to 10 years from 2013; none had dementia when the study began.
Those who napped most or every day had a 48% higher risk of dementia than people who rarely or never napped.
Unplanned naps were linked to a 39% higher risk, while naps of 30 minutes or less were linked to a 40% higher risk.
The study found an association, not proof that naps cause dementia.
The researchers said the relationship could work in both directions: napping might be a risk factor, or early brain changes could make people nap more.
Larger, longer studies are needed to better understand the link, and researchers say nap habits could help identify older adults who may need closer attention.
A study found that frequent or unintentional daytime naps were associated with a higher risk of dementia among older adults.
People who napped most or every day had a 48% higher risk than those who rarely or never napped.
Unintentional naps were associated with a 39% higher risk, while naps of 30 minutes or less were associated with a 40% higher risk.
The researchers said the relationship may work in both directions and the study did not prove that napping causes dementia.
They said nap habits could be an accessible early marker to help identify older adults at higher risk.
- Who
- Researchers studied more than 990 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older.
- What
- The study found associations between frequent or unintentional naps and higher dementia risk.
- When
- Participants were followed for up to 10 years from 2013; the study was reported in October 2026.
- Where
- The study was conducted among Medicare beneficiaries; the lead researcher is at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Why
- The researchers said nap habits may help identify older adults at higher risk, but the study did not establish cause and effect.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers began following more than 990 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older who were free of dementia at the start of the study.
The follow-up period covered participants for up to 10 years.
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health issued a press release about the findings.
Infobae published its report on the study.
- Participants
- More than 990 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older
- Follow-up
- Up to 10 years from 2013
- Frequent naps
- 48% higher dementia risk for those napping most or every day
- Unintentional naps
- Associated with 39% higher dementia risk
- Short naps
- Naps of 30 minutes or less associated with 40% higher dementia risk
What people are saying
Monitoring napping behaviors could serve as an early and accessible marker to help identify older adults at higher risk of dementia and guide targeted interventions for dementia prevention
More frequent napping could be a marker of changes in the brain, rather than a cause of brain changes that lead to dementia