Sleep like your brain depends on it—because it just might. Sleep plays a vital role in regulating your mood, strengthening your immune system, and helping prevent certain diseases. Without enough of it, both your body and mind begin to break down. While all stages of sleep are important, one in particular—rapid eye movement (REM) sleep—may offer powerful protection against diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to a new study. For the first part of the study, the research team used information from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. This long-running study has tracked data from U.S. adults for several decades. From 1996 to 1998, the participants underwent overnight monitoring using a polysomnography, a comprehensive test used to diagnose various sleep disorders. The test measures brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and muscle activity to determine the different sleep stages of participants. Although the study does link poor sleep to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, it’s important to note that the study is observational and does not prove that poor sleep causes brain atrophy. Further studies are needed to determine whether proper sleep can help prevent cognitive decline.
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