When memory fails, so can sleep

[3 April 2009 - 15h23]

Elderly women with memory problems often experience real difficulty sleeping. To the extent that insomnia is twice as common among this group than among those with better memory.

And it’s a serious matter! This is the finding of a study conducted over 15 years and involving 2,500 women. At the start of the study, the researchers did not identify any sign that might suggest cognitive problems.

However, memory loss in these patients can lead to serious anxiety and this, when accompanied by a form of depression, may then affect sleep. Another possible explanation is that changes in brain structure and function associated with Alzheimer’s disease could be implicated in sleeping disorders.

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