People who restricted themselves to seven hours of sleep a night could prevent their brain from ageing by two years extra, in comparison to those who too much sleep or not sufficient, clam US researchers. They found that postmenopausal women who managed to sleep seven hours a night had better concentration and reminiscences than those slept for nine hours a night.
This is first study of its kind that linked too much or not enough sleep to concentration problems. For their research academics from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, investigated more than fifteen thousand women in their seventies for the period of five years. All study participants underwent regular test to check their memory, concentration and attention span.
The study found that participants who slept for seven hours a night performed far better compared to those who had slept fewer than five hours or more than nine hours a night. Lead author Dr Elizabeth Devore , explained their findings support the notion that extreme sleep duration and changes in sleep duration over time may contribute to cognitive decline and early Alzheimer’s changes in older adults.
She added the public health implications of these findings could be substantial, as they might lead to the eventual identification of sleep-based strategies for reducing risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s. earlier study have already shown than more than seven hours of sleep a night can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
The research was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Vancouver, Canada. The academics believe people who suffer cognitive decline which leaving them less sharp in old age, may be more likely to suffer dementia.