Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Frequent and involuntary daytime naps linked to higher dementia risk in older adults
A study followed 995 adults aged 65 and older who did not have dementia at the start, in 2013.
Researchers tracked their daytime napping habits for up to 10 years, and 417 participants were later classified as having possible or probable dementia.
Frequent napping was linked to a 48% higher estimated risk than never or rarely napping, after adjustments for other factors.
Involuntary naps were linked to a 39% higher estimated risk, while planned naps showed no clear association.
The findings show a link, not proof that naps cause dementia; involuntary napping may also reflect health or sleep problems, and early brain changes could increase daytime sleepiness.
When researchers excluded dementia cases identified in the first five years, the link with frequent napping remained, with an estimated risk 75% higher.
A study of adults aged 65 and older found that frequent and involuntary daytime naps were associated with higher estimated dementia risk.
People who napped most days or daily had an estimated 48% higher risk than those who never or rarely napped.
Those who sometimes fell asleep unintentionally had an estimated 39% higher risk than people who never or rarely napped.
The researchers found no clear association for occasional naps or planned naps after adjusting for health and sleep factors.
The study does not establish whether napping contributes to dementia or is an early sign of changes linked to it.
- Who
- Researchers led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health studied 995 adults aged 65 or older.
- What
- The study examined links between daytime napping habits and dementia risk.
- When
- Participants were followed for up to 10 years after the study began in 2013.
- Where
- The study was led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the United States.
- Why
- Researchers investigated whether the frequency, circumstances and duration of naps were linked to dementia risk.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The study began with 995 adults aged 65 or older who did not have possible or probable dementia.
Researchers assessed participants’ napping habits and dementia status during follow-up.
- Participants
- 995 adults aged 65 or older
- Follow-up
- Up to 10 years
- Dementia cases
- 417 participants, about 42%, were classified as possible or probable cases
- Frequent naps
- Estimated dementia risk was 48% higher for people napping most days or daily than for those who never or rarely napped
- Unintentional naps
- Estimated dementia risk was 39% higher for people who sometimes fell asleep unintentionally than for those who never or rarely napped