
It’s quite popular to understand the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Given the rising incidence and lack of effective therapies, it is critical to take action to possibly lower risk.
A recent study’s authors examine connections between sleep architecture and Alzheimer’s-related brain regions in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
The phases of sleep that the brain goes through every night are referred to as sleep architecture.
Sleep cycles: what are they?
The four stages of sleep are as follows:
- Stage 1: The initial phase following your drop-off. It’s a light slumber. The relaxation of muscles starts. It only lasts one to five minutes.
- Stage 2: A little more in-depth, this stage lasts for about twenty-five minutes. The body becomes even more relaxed.
- state 3: The deepest sleep state is this one. Brain waves, respiration, and heart rate all become more regular. Slow-wave sleep is another name for stage 3.
- Stage 4: Because of the eye movement during this phase, this stage is also known as rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. Breathing quickens and heart rate and blood pressure become irregular during REM sleep.
Individuals typically go through these four stages four to six times a night. reliable source.
Aspects of sleep, such as sleeping longer than usual or having disrupted sleep, have been linked to dementia risk and the advancement of the disease, according to prior study.
The direct connections between particular elements of sleep architecture and Alzheimer’s disease, notably the neuroanatomy linked to this illness, had not, however, been thoroughly investigated until the most recent study.