Insomnia may indicate a higher likelihood of dementia in older age. One of the key signs of an increased risk for developing dementia is experiencing unpleasant or terrifying dreams—those that cause a person to wake up.
A new study has revealed that dreams can unveil astonishing information about our brain health. Frequent nightmares in middle or older age may be linked to a heightened risk of developing dementia.
During their research, the team analyzed data from three large studies focused on health and aging in the United States. Over 600 participants aged 35 to 64, as well as 2,600 individuals aged 79 and older, took part in these studies. At the start of the research, none of the volunteers had dementia, as reported by Science Alert. Researchers monitored the middle-aged participants for nine years and the older participants for five years.
At the beginning of the study, participants filled out a questionnaire regarding their nightmares (night terrors).
Interestingly, the risk of dementia was found to be twice as high among those who reported frequent nightmares. The connection between night terrors and future dementia was significantly stronger in men than in women.
Among older men who experienced nightmares weekly, the likelihood of developing dementia was five times greater compared to older men who reported no bad dreams.
The findings suggest that regular nightmares in middle and older age may be associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.
The good news is that recurring nightmares are now treatable. Research has scientifically proven that timely treatment of night terrors reduces the accumulation of abnormal proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. There are also reports of improvements in memory and cognitive abilities following such therapy.
The results not only highlight the connection between nightmares and dementia but also provide new insights for early diagnosis and treatment of cognitive decline. They shed new light on the nature of the mysterious phenomenon known as dreaming.
The conclusions of the study were published in the journal eClinicalMedicine/The Lancet.