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Updated: Feb 7, 2026
09:17
Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
22.3K
Sleep disturbances and dementia risk: A multicenter study.
Shireen Sindi1, Ingemar Kåreholt2, Lena Johansson3
1Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Neuroepidemiology and Ageing Research Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
Summary
Sleep disturbances in midlife and late life are linked to increased dementia risk. Insomnia and long sleep duration in later years are significant risk factors for developing dementia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Longitudinal studies investigating the association between sleep disturbances and dementia risk are limited.
- Understanding sleep patterns' impact on cognitive decline is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between midlife and late-life sleep disturbances and the risk of developing dementia.
- To identify specific sleep patterns associated with increased dementia incidence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of three population-based cohorts: H70, Kungsholmen Project, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study.
- Inclusion of participants with baseline assessments in midlife (approx. 50 years) and late life (approx. 70-84 years).
- Longitudinal follow-up periods ranging from 3 to 32 years.
Main Results:
- Midlife insomnia was associated with a 24% increased dementia risk (HR=1.24, 95% CI=1.02-1.50).
- Late-life terminal insomnia showed a nearly twofold increased dementia risk (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.08-3.49).
- Late-life long sleep duration (>9 hours) was strongly associated with a fourfold increased dementia risk (OR=3.98, 95% CI=1.87-8.48).
Conclusions:
- Midlife insomnia and late-life terminal insomnia or long sleep duration are significant predictors of increased dementia risk.
- Sleep disturbances represent a modifiable risk factor for dementia.
- Further research into sleep interventions for dementia prevention is warranted.
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