Deep sleep is key to protecting the brain from aging

During sleep, the brain doesn’t just rest – it actively cleanses itself of toxic proteins and processes information. However, as we age, the night’s rest becomes less deep and its structure is disrupted. This change is associated with memory impairment, increased inflammation and increased vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases.

Researchers have found that sleep disturbances may not only be an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, but also accelerate its development. A deficit in slow-wave sleep leads to the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau proteins, which destroy nerve cells. Sleep disorders are also observed in other brain diseases, such as dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease, and changes in resting patterns can manifest themselves long before the onset of cognitive problems.

Experts have studied how insomnia and fragmented sleep affect brain cells. Prolonged wakefulness increases neuronal activity, which leads to inflammation and oxidative stress – processes that accelerate brain aging. In animal experiments, sleep deprivation provoked the accumulation of harmful proteins and cognitive decline.

The researchers also looked at the role of neurotransmitters – such as orexin, dopamine and acetylcholine – in sleep regulation and their relationship to brain diseases. It turned out that people with certain genetic traits, such as carriers of a variant of the APOE4 gene, are prone to more severe sleep disorders and have an increased risk of dementia.

Maintaining quality sleep may be one tool for preventing neurodegeneration. Studies show that improving slow-wave sleep reduces the accumulation of toxins in the brain and has a positive effect on cognitive function. In experimental models, the use of behavioral and medication methods to improve sleep slowed down degenerative processes.

However, the question remains: what is primary – sleep disorders or neurodegeneration? It is still unclear whether therapeutic interventions can actually delay the development of dementia. More research is needed, but it is already clear: good sleep is not just a luxury, but an important factor in protecting the brain.