Study Finds Why Poor Sleep And High Blood Pressure May Increase Dementia Risk
New research links dementia to problems with the brain’s waste clearance system.
The ‘glymphatic system’ — the flow of cerebrospinal fluid during sleep to flush out toxins and waste materials from the brain — plays an essential role in keeping the brain healthy.
A new study, using MRI scans, found that people with cardiovascular risk factors that impaired the function of the glymphatic system had an increased risk of dementia.
The glymphatic system is a recently discovered waste clearance system, most active during sleep, that removes toxins and waste materials, including those associated with dementia, from the central nervous system.
The researchers suggest that improving sleep patterns to enhance glymphatic system function and treating cardiovascular risks could both help reduce dementia risk.
Author summary: Research links dementia to impaired brain waste clearance system.
- Impaired glymphatic system function increases dementia risk.
- Improving sleep and treating cardiovascular risks may reduce dementia risk.