Study links frequent daytime napping to 48% higher dementia risk
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that older adults who nap daily have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia over a decade.
A study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University has identified a correlation between frequent daytime napping and an increased risk of dementia among the elderly. Published in the Journals of Gerontology: Series A, the findings indicate that older adults who nap daily or nearly every day face a 48 percent higher risk of developing dementia compared to those who do not.
The research utilized data from 995 participants in the National Health and Aging Trends Study, which tracks the health of Americans aged 65 and older. Participants were surveyed on their sleep habits in 2013, at which point none showed signs of cognitive decline. Researchers monitored the group over the following decade, noting that 417 participants developed dementia during the median follow-up period of five years.
While the data shows a clear statistical link, researchers note that napping may be an early warning sign of underlying cognitive decline rather than a direct cause. The study highlights the potential value of monitoring sleep patterns as a metric for assessing long-term brain health in older populations.