Study Poor sleep increases the risk of stroke and dementia

Old people especially at risk of severe sleep fragmentation
Sleep disorders are generally associated with a variety of health consequences. But especially seniors are particularly at risk from poor sleep. This is the conclusion of a recent study by Canadian scientists from the University of Toronto..

When seniors sleep badly, negative health consequences can occur. Sleep disorders, for example, increase the likelihood of stroke and dementia, the researchers report. Waking up several times a night could cause small changes in our brain, the Canadian scientists said in their study. These changes can only be determined by an autopsy. The results of their current study, the scientists published in the journal "Stroke".

In sleep disorders, changes in the brain, which are associated with strokes and dementia. (Image: Sven Vietense / fotolia.com)

Sleep fragmentation can lead to cerebral vascular damage and oxygen deficiency
When people sleep restlessly at night and often wake up, it can cause health problems. The more severe such a so-called sleep fragmentation fails, the higher the risk for our cerebellar arteries to harden, explained the physicians. They also found that sleep fragmentation increases the risk of brain tissue death due to insufficient oxygen delivery. Sleep disorders have been linked to strokes in the past. But there are only a few studies that try to explain the relationship between sleep and strokes, explain the Canadian doctors. The authors of the new study tested by autopsy their hypothesis that a higher sleep fragmentation can lead to cerebral vascular damage and lack of oxygen.

Study examines the brains of 315 dead volunteers
In autopsies, the researchers analyzed the brains of 315 subjects, who had an average age of 90 years. The sleep of the participants was rated at least one week before they died, the scientists report. They found that 29 percent of the participants had suffered a stroke and that about 61 percent had serious damage to the cerebral blood vessels.

The average number of "wake-up times" was seven times in one hour. The results of the study show that those with the highest levels of sleep fragmentation had a 27 percent increased risk of developing hardened cerebral arteries, the physicians added. Patients who suffered two additional waking hours per hour were 30 percent more likely to develop observable signs of hypoxia in the brain. It is possible that the repeated episodes of episodes may increase blood pressure, which in turn could damage our blood vessels, said lead author Dr. Andrew Lim of the "University of Toronto".

Observed changes in the brain are associated with strokes and dementia
Dr. However, Lim stresses that the study's findings do not explain a cause-and-effect relationship between sleep and stroke. At this point in time, there is no real evidence that the treatment of sleep fragmentation could make a big difference, explained the physician. Although sleep fragmentation can disturb the blood flow in our brain, this process can also be caused by other underlying factors. However, it is clear that the observed changes in the brain are associated with strokes and dementia. Now, research needs to find out more about the cause and other aspects of sleep fragmentation. (As)