The findings suggest that those aged over 60 are more likely to develop dementia if they miss only one per cent of what is called slow wave sleep. older adults could help protect themselves from developing dementia, raising hope for those impacted and their families. Slow wave sleep is the most restful stage of the human sleep cycle, when brain waves and heart rate slow and blood pressure drops. Researchers believe slow wave sleep helps the body boost the immune system, support memory function, repair tissue, and help eliminate waste products from the body. Slow-wave sleep, or deep sleep, supports the ageing brain in many ways, and we know that sleep augments the clearance of metabolic waste from the brain, including facilitating the clearance of proteins that aggregate in Alzheimer’s disease We used these to examine how slow-wave sleep changed with aging and whether changes in slow-wave sleep percentage were associated with the risk of later-life dementia up to 17 years later. ”However, to date we have been unsure of the role of slow-wave sleep in the development of dementia. Our findings suggest that slow-wave sleep loss may be a modifiable dementia risk factor.” While ageing is accompanied by natural changes in our brains and cognitive abilities, there are proactive steps we can take to promote a vibrant and sharp mind as we grow older in addition to quality sleep. By adopting lifestyle modifications, engaging in intellectual stimulation, and managing underlying health conditions, we can empower ourselves to lead fulfilling lives and safeguard our cognitive well-being.
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Monday, March 9, 2026