The Less Sleep You Get, the Faster Your Brain Ages: Cognitive Decline in Adults

Getting enough sleep isn't just important for children; it's also important for adults. Scientists have found that the less that older adults sleep, the faster their brains age. The findings show how crucial it is to avoid sleep loss in order to help stem cognitive decline.

Faster brain ventricle enlargement has been seen as a marker in cognitive decline and the development of diseases such as Alzheimer's. However, the effect of sleep deprivation on this particular marker has never been examined. That's why scientists decided to take a closer look at this area of the brain in order to see whether sleep could impact it and, therefore, also affect cognitive decline and function.

The researchers examined 66 older Chinese adults who were involved in the Singapore-Longitudinal Aging Brain Study. These volunteers underwent structural MRI brain scans that measured their brain volume and took neuropsychological assessments that tested their cognitive function every two years. In addition, their sleep duration was recorded.

In the end, the scientists found that those who slept fewer hours showed evidence of faster ventricle enlargement and decline. Not only that, but they also showed a decline in cognitive performance.

 "Work done elsewhere suggests that seven hours a day for adults seems to be the sweet spot for optimal performance on computer based cognitive tests," said Michael Chee, senior author of the new study, in a news release. "In coming years we hope to determine what's good for cardio-metabolic and long term brain health too."

The findings reveal how crucial it is to get a good night's sleep. By making sure you get a good night's rest, you can help fight off cognitive decline and lower your risk for conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer's.

The findings are published in the journal Sleep.