Study Sounds Alarm: Frequent Lie-Ins May Be Early Sign of Alzheimer’s

Frequent oversleeping might be an initial sign of several serious illnesses such as Alzheimer's, suggests recent research.

Research has shown that people who get about seven hours of sleep are less prone to experiencing significant health problems.

People who sleep longer than seven hours are at a greater risk of cognitive decline, as well as heart disease and diabetes .

However, individuals getting less than seven hours of sleep were more prone to experience low mood, feelings of fatigue, along with diminished muscle and bone health.

Brain scans indicated that the brain regions associated with emotions seem smaller in individuals who get less sleep. Experts think this might be linked to the depressed moods observed in such cases.

Specialists labeled the discoveries as a 'game changer' in comprehending the link between sleep and well-being.

The research conducted at the University of Warwick examined sleep patterns involving almost half a million individuals aged between 38 and 73 years old.

The researchers indicate that for individuals who sleep excessively, this is probably indicative of an underlying condition rather than being the source of the problem.

Prior studies have indicated that getting more than nine hours of sleep might signal the presence of Alzheimer's, a neurodegenerative disorder. However, investigators from Warwick suggest that consistently logging over seven hours of shut-eye may also point towards this serious illness.

Nevertheless, individuals who get less than seven hours of sleep attribute their health problems to the insufficient amount of rest they are getting.

Experts express their optimism that these discoveries could enable early detection of illnesses and swiftly offer treatment strategies for individuals struggling with sleep issues.

The following stage of the investigation will involve monitoring alterations in sleep habits as time progresses.

'This represents a significant change in our understanding of the connection between sleep and overall health,' states Professor Jianfeng Feng, a biologist and co-author of the study from Warwick University.

'Ultimately, our aim is to develop a complete sleep health profile throughout an individual’s entire lifetime, offering practical guidance for people at each phase.'