Longevity & AgingPoor Sleep in Older Women May Signal Early Alzheimer's Brain Changes
A new study in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease found that older women with higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's who reported poor sleep showed greater tau protein buildup in vulnerable brain regions and performed worse on visual memory tests. Researchers studied 69 women aged 65 and older, using PET brain scans, memory assessments, and polygenic hazard scores to evaluate Alzheimer's risk. The findings suggest sleep disturbances may not just be a byproduct of aging but could reflect early neurological changes. Because women represent nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer's cases and often maintain verbal skills longer, visual memory testing and sleep monitoring may offer earlier detection opportunities. Sleep, unlike genetics, remains modifiable.
