A recent study has uncovered that seniors who feel unusually drowsy during the day may face a higher likelihood of developing motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, a pre-dementia condition associated with cognitive decline and slower walking speeds, New York Post reports.
The study’s findings, published in Neurology, raise concerns for older adults, particularly those with poor sleep patterns or disrupted sleep cycles.
Led by Dr. Victoire Leroy of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the study involved 445 dementia-free participants with an average age of 76. Researchers tracked participants’ sleep habits and walking speeds over an average period of three years. Participants filled out sleep questionnaires that asked about issues like nighttime awakenings, difficulty staying awake while driving, and challenges completing daily tasks. Additionally, participants completed annual treadmill walking assessments to monitor motoric and cognitive function.
The results showed that those who reported frequent daytime drowsiness or lack of interest in daily activities were more than three times as likely to develop MCR compared to their more alert peers. Forty-two participants had MCR at the beginning of the study, while 36 additional participants developed it over the course of the research.
Dr. Leroy emphasizes the importance of addressing sleep issues early, suggesting that treatment for sleep disturbances could potentially lower the risk of cognitive decline.
“Our findings emphasize the need for screening for sleep issues,” she stated.
Dr Leroy added that targeted interventions may help prevent conditions like MCR and delay cognitive decline later in life.
Though the study suggests a link between sleep issues and MCR, it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Dr. Leroy notes that further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms connecting sleep disturbances to MCR and cognitive decline.
This research, supported by the National Institute on Aging, comes at a time of heightened concern about dementia, with nearly 7 million Americans currently diagnosed. Known dementia risk factors include age, high blood pressure, depression, obesity, and diabetes, among others. Experts recommend that adults aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night to help support both cognitive and physical health.
