Adulthood insomnia can lead to cognitive problems in old age

Wednesday 01st June 2022 09:34 EDT
 
 

A new study at the University of Helsinki looked into the development of insomnia symptoms in midlife and their effects on memory, learning abilities, and concentration after retirement. The follow-up period for the study was 15-17 years and it found that long-term insomnia symptoms and later poorer cognitive functioning have a clear connection. Doctoral Researcher Antti Etholen, said in a report, “The findings indicate that severe insomnia symptoms were associated with worse cognitive function among those who were on statutory pension.”

The research also found that the memory problems and problems in learning ability and concentration increased as the insomnia symptoms were prolonged. Prior research has shown that there are a number of mechanisms that can explain how sleep can affect cognitive functioning. The study also demonstrated that if insomnia symptoms eased over the years, cognitive functioning was also found to be better at retirement age compared to the problems persisting.

According to the researchers, long-lasting insomnia symptoms should be considered risk factors for poor cognitive functioning. “Based on our findings, early intervention tackling insomnia symptoms, or measures aimed at improving the quality of sleep would be justified,” says Professor Tea Lallukka.

Lallukka believes that intervention studies are still needed to ascertain the effects of measures in support of good sleep."In subsequent studies, it would be interesting to shed further light on, for example, whether the treatment of insomnia can also slow down the development of memory disorders," Lallukka said.


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