This Common Daytime Habit May Be Linked To A Higher Dementia Risk, Study Finds

Key Points:

• A Johns Hopkins study found that frequent, unintentional napping in adults aged 65 and older is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, with daily nappers having a 48% increased risk compared to those who rarely or never nap.
• The study emphasizes that napping itself does not cause dementia; rather, increased napping may be an early marker of brain changes related to dementia.
• Intentional naps, especially those lasting around 45 minutes, are generally considered healthy and not linked to increased dementia risk, while unintentional short naps may be more concerning.
• Unintentional daytime sleepiness in older adults is not a normal part of aging and should prompt medical consultation, as it may indicate underlying conditions like sleep apnea or early signs of dementia.
• Experts highlight the complexity of the relationship between sleep and dementia, noting that disrupted sleep can both result from and contribute to neurodegenerative changes, and stress the importance of early diagnosis and treatment options.