Sleep deprivation and dementia
Published 25 September 2009
A study published in Science has found that levels of amyloid beta, a protein fragment associated with Alzheimers disease, rose and fell in association with sleep and wakefulness in mice.
'It is interesting that there may be a link between sleep and the build up of the protein associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. However, there are many other biological factors that may have an impact on the protein's production, so further research in this area would be needed.
Dementia research is desperately underfunded, with the government investing eight times less in dementia research than cancer research. One million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years. We must act now.'
Professor Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society
ENDS
Jae-Eun Kang, Miranda M. Lim, Randall J. Bateman et al, Amyloid-beta dynamics are regulated by Orexin and the Sleep-Wake Cycle, 24 September 2009
Notes to editors
- 1 in 3 people over 65 will die with dementia.
- 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
- Alzheimer's Society campaigns for and champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- As a charity, Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow.You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk.
- Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
