30 January 2025

The Link Between REM Sleep and Alzheimers Disease: New Insights

Alzheimers disease and related dementias are complex disorders with no current cure. Recent research has focused on the relationship between sleep patterns and Alzheimers disease, particularly how the time taken to reach the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep may be indicative of the disease.

A study published in Alzheimers & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association found that longer REM sleep latency (REML) is associated with key plasma biomarkers linked to Alzheimers disease. Researchers suggest that delayed REM sleep could serve as a potential marker for early detection or a risk factor for these conditions.

REM sleep is crucial for mental and physical well-being, aiding in information processing and memory consolidation. The study involved 128 participants aged 50 and older, including individuals with Alzheimers disease, mild cognitive impairment, and normal cognition. Participants underwent polysomnography to monitor their sleep patterns, along with PET scans to assess amyloid beta levels, a key indicator of Alzheimers disease.

The findings revealed that participants with longer REML exhibited higher levels of phosphorylated tau at threonine 181 (p-tau181) and amyloid beta, alongside lower levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These results were independent of cognitive status or APOE ε4 status, a gene associated with increased Alzheimers risk.

Dr. Yue Leng, an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco, stated that REM sleep, particularly the time taken to enter this stage, is potentially significant for Alzheimer’s disease. While the correlation between REM sleep latency and Alzheimers disease is noteworthy, further research is needed to determine if this relationship is causal.

The study has limitations, including its cross-sectional design, which prevents establishing causation. The sample size was relatively small and homogenous, consisting primarily of Han Chinese participants over 50. Additionally, the sleep study was conducted over one night, which may not accurately reflect participants' typical sleep patterns.

Experts like Dr. Giulio Taglialatela, who was not involved in the study, acknowledged that while the findings are intriguing, the limited number of participants compromises the statistical power of the results. Dr. Alex Dimitriu emphasized that this research shifts the focus from slow-wave sleep to REM sleep in the context of Alzheimers disease, highlighting the importance of all sleep stages.

In conclusion, while the study underscores the potential link between delayed REM sleep and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, more extensive research is necessary to explore the clinical implications and possible interventions. Identifying prolonged REML could aid in early detection and risk modification for Alzheimers disease and related dementias.

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