A recent scientific study showed that frequent napping during the day among older adults is associated with an increased risk of dementia, indicating that an increased need for daytime sleep may reflect brain changes that precede the onset of cognitive decline symptoms.
The scientific website ScienceAlert reported on Monday that the study, conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University in the US and published in the journal The Journals of Gerontology, included an analysis of data from 995 people aged 65 and older who showed no signs of dementia at the start of the study.
The results, based on a follow-up period averaging five years, showed that people who napped daily or most days of the week had a 48% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who rarely or never napped.
Other Associations
Unplanned daytime sleep was also associated with a 39% higher risk of dementia, while naps lasting no more than 30 minutes were linked to a 40% increase in this risk.
Researchers also observed an association between frequent, unplanned, or short naps and an increased risk of memory impairment during the follow-up period.
Scientific Explanations
The lead researcher of the study, psychologist and sleep researcher Adam Spira from Johns Hopkins University, clarified that frequent napping may be an indicator of brain changes rather than a direct cause, noting that increased daytime drowsiness may reflect neurological changes associated with cognitive decline.
Researchers emphasized that the results do not prove a causal relationship between napping and dementia, as the relationship may be bidirectional; brain changes associated with dementia may increase the need for daytime sleep, and nighttime sleep disturbances may also lead to frequent napping.
Influencing Factors
The association remained significant even after accounting for several factors, including age, educational level, body mass index, certain diseases, nighttime sleep duration, daytime drowsiness, and the risk of sleep apnea.
Researchers called for further studies to understand the nature of the relationship between daytime sleep patterns and cognitive changes, and to determine whether frequent napping can help identify individuals at higher risk of developing dementia.
Napping itself does not mean developing dementia, but noticeable changes in sleep habits, especially increased drowsiness and a repeated need for daytime sleep, may warrant attention and investigation into their health causes.
Dementia is a disorder that affects memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities, and its health importance increases with age, making the study of early indicators and understanding risk factors important for supporting early detection and maintaining cognitive health.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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