Lower duration of deep sleep, REM related to brain changes seen in Alzheimer's patients: Study
Lower duration of deep sleep, REM related to brain changes seen in Alzheimer's patients: Study
NEW DELHI: (Apr 1) Lesser time spent in specific sleep phases such as REM or deep sleep could be related to brain changes usually seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease -- an ageing-related condition impairing one's memory, thought processes and speech -- a new study has found.
During night-time sleep, one goes through four stages, each of which is associated with different physiological processes in the body. The Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage is marked by quick movements of the eyes, increased activity in the brain and vivid dreaming.
The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, show that people spending a lower time in slow wave sleep (deep sleep) and REM had smaller volumes of brain regions known to be affected in Alzheimer's disease.
