Poor Sleep, Poor Brain Aging?
A recent study suggests that poor sleep quality in early middle age is linked to signs of accelerated brain aging in late middle age. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, involved 589 participants, averaging age 40 at the start. Over 15 years, participants completed sleep questionnaires twice and underwent brain scans, which were analyzed to estimate their “brain age.”
The investigators found that participants with poor sleep, especially those who reported issues like difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or early morning awakenings, had brain scans suggesting an older brain age. Those with two to three poor sleep traits had brains 1.6 years older than those with one or no poor traits, while participants with more than three traits showed a 2.6-year increase in brain age. Poor sleep consistently over five years correlated with greater brain aging. The study’s authors emphasize the importance of early intervention for sleep issues, suggesting strategies like regular sleep schedules, exercise, and avoiding stimulants before bed.
Try this recipe today: Roasted Vegetable Soup
Sign up for more Dr. Weil newsletters!
