An abrupt change in sleeping patterns could be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s, according to a new study.
Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, working on a mouse model, found that when the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s plaque appear on the brain, sleep patterns become extremely disturbed. They found that depriving the mice of sleep accelerated the development of Alzheimer’s as well. It is not a definite sign of Alzheimer’s, in fact disruptions in sleep patterns can mean many things, including the early stages of a disease. Knowing this, however, can help doctors to make the right diagnosis sooner. Furthermore; if a persistent sleep problem improves, it could be a sign that the treatment a patient is receiving is working. A shift back to a regular sleep schedule is indicative of better health and wellness overall.
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