- By Bornika Das
- Sat, 28 Jun 2025 08:57 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sleep isn’t just about resting the body, it’s vital for brain health too. In today’s fast-paced world, sleep is often sacrificed for work, screens, or social life. However, growing research suggests that poor sleep can have long-term effects on the brain, including increasing the risk of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s, a progressive condition marked by memory loss and cognitive decline, is one of the leading causes of dementia worldwide. But can something as simple as sleep really influence its development? Many doctors and neuroscientists now believe the answer is yes.
Quality sleep plays a key role in clearing toxic waste from the brain, particularly harmful proteins like beta-amyloid and tau, which are heavily linked to Alzheimer’s. This “brain cleaning” process is most active during deep sleep. When sleep is consistently disrupted or inadequate, these proteins can build up, damaging brain cells and impairing cognitive function over time. In conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr Amlan Tapan Mohapatra, Consultant Neurology, Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneswar, explains how poor sleep really increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Sleep is a fundamental biological need that plays a vital role in our physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. Dr Amlan Tapan Mohapatra states, “Adults require around 7-9 hours of sleep, while younger individuals need more. However, sleep is often sacrificed for work, entertainment, and other commitments.”
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One of the key functions of sleep is physical restoration. During deep sleep, the body repairs tissues and strengthens the immune system. Sleep also clears metabolic waste from the brain through a unique system called the glymphatic system, which functions like a switch—active during sleep and off while awake.
Lack of sleep affects attention, learning, memory, and decision-making. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to anxiety, depression, reduced work performance, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, sleep is essential for proper brain functioning.
How Poor Sleep Leads To Alzheimer's Disease (Image Credits: Canva)
Alzheimer's Disease And Sleep
Dr Amlan Tapan Mohapatra states, “Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition, mostly seen in people over 65 years of age. It presents as memory loss, difficulty with navigation, trouble recognising loved ones, and attention deficits. As the disease progresses, patients become completely dependent on caregivers for daily activities.”
In healthy individuals, sleep helps remove harmful proteins like beta-amyloid and tau from the brain. Dr Amlan Tapan Mohapatra states, “Poor sleep leads to the buildup of these proteins, damaging nerve cells and contributing to cognitive decline. Thus, inadequate sleep is a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.”
As Alzheimer's progresses, patients often face sleep disturbances, such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and daytime sleepiness, creating a vicious cycle where poor sleep further worsens brain health.
The Importance Of Sleep Improvement
Better sleep can improve quality of life and slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Initially, non-medication approaches are preferred, such as following a regular sleep routine, avoiding stimulants like caffeine, limiting screen exposure before bed, and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment.
When lifestyle changes are insufficient, medications may be prescribed. Stress management also plays an important role in achieving good sleep.
Healthy sleep is essential not just for restoring the body but also for protecting the brain. Good sleep habits can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and support better brain health throughout life.