Dormir mal na meia idade pode fazer seu cérebro envelhecer mais rápido? –

Many people struggle to get a good night’s sleep during midlife, including those raising young children, dealing with work-related stress and using technology more frequently throughout their lives. However, this might have more long-lasting effects than you think.

A recent study released in October 2024 showed that reduced brain volume, which is associated with normal aging and neurodegenerative conditions like dementia, is correlated with poor sleep in midlife and is apparent in brain scans even a decade later. Let’s take a closer look at the study and why now is the time to prioritize getting better sleep for the sake of your future brain.

The study, published in Neurology, involved about 600 adults who averaged 40 years of age. They were questioned initially, followed by a follow-up questionnaire five years later and then a brain scan 10 years later after the follow-up. The correlation that emerged was based on machine learning’s estimate of brain age based on changes in brain structure: when a person’s brain was scanned, the machine could generate an estimate of brain age. 70% of participants reported no more than one poor sleep characteristic at the start of the study.

• Sleep quality plays a significant role in brain health
• Improving sleep in midlife could help reduce risk factors for dementia
• Addressing sleep disturbances may support long-term cognitive health