Scientists: insomnia may be the first sign of dementia

Canadian scientists have found that insomnia may be the first sign of impending dementia. This conclusion was made by researchers at Concordia University based on a sleep study involving more than 26,000 people aged 40 to 85 years.

Research began in 2019. The subjects were divided into three groups – those who do not have problems with sleep, who have some problems and those suffering from insomnia. Three years later, the scientists checked whose sleep patterns or memory status had changed. It turned out that those who complained of sleep problems were more likely to experience memory impairment later.

In addition, people with insomnia were more likely to complain of depression, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, and difficulty breathing. This condition was more common among smokers and people with a high BMI. It also turned out that men with sleep problems performed worse on memory tests than women.

According to study author Nathan Cross, the discovery of this connection helped to understand the importance of seeking timely medical care. After all, the treatment of sleep disorders can slow down the development of age-related changes.

General practitioners or psychologists can help correct the condition. In the latter case, you will have to undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy, designed to break the behavior patterns that contribute to insomnia.