Struggling to get a good night’s sleep? A new study suggests that poor sleep quality may contribute to brain shrinkage, particularly in areas associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers analyzed data from 270 individuals and found that insufficient slow-wave sleep (deep sleep) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was linked to brain atrophy over time. The most significant changes were observed in the inferior parietal region, an area affected during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
According to Dr. Gawon Cho, a postdoctoral associate at Yale School of Medicine, the findings provide preliminary evidence that reduced neuroactivity during sleep may contribute to brain atrophy, which could potentially increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
These results are particularly significant because they highlight how sleep disturbances, which are common among middle-aged and older adults, may be connected to cognitive decline and dementia.
This study adds to a growing body of research linking sleep quality to brain health. Last year, scientists from UC Berkeley, Stanford, and UC Irvine found that individuals with Alzheimer’s-related brain changes performed better on memory recall tests when they had more sleep.
Additionally, another study earlier this year revealed that individuals who take longer to enter REM sleep may have a higher risk of developing dementia. The latest findings go a step further, suggesting that chronic sleep disruptions may actively shrink the brain, further accelerating cognitive decline.
The good news is that researchers believe improving sleep habits may help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Optimizing what experts call "sleep architecture"—the structure and organization of sleep cycles—could be key to maintaining brain health. Simple lifestyle changes, such as sticking to a consistent sleep schedule, ensuring adequate sleep duration, and avoiding caffeine in the evening, may help preserve cognitive function.
“Sleep architecture may be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,” said Dr. Cho, suggesting that targeted sleep interventions may help delay the onset of the disease. As research continues to explore the connection between sleep and brain health, one thing is clear—getting quality rest may be one of the most important steps you can take to protect your brain.