Alzheimer's and sleep connection
America. A study conducted by scientists at the University of Kentucky, America, has revealed a new relationship between sleep and serious diseases like Alzheimer's. In this study, experiments were conducted on rats affected by Alzheimer's, in which a significant increase in their sleep was observed after reducing the number of immune cells in the brain.
increased sleep of rats
The study focused on cells called microglia, which are an important part of the brain's immune system. These cells help in destroying damaged cells and harmful elements.
The researchers used a drug called 'Pexidartinib', which blocks the survival-related signals of microglia. After about 14 days of the experiment, the number of microglia in the mice's brains decreased by about 87 percent, and their sleep increased by more than two hours per day.
Amyloid plaques did not decrease
An important aspect of this study is that despite the increase in sleep, there was no reduction in the amount of amyloid plaques in the brains of the mice. Amyloid plaques are deposits of protein that are associated with Alzheimer's.
The findings indicate that sleep-related problems in Alzheimer's may be related not only to amyloid plaques, but also to microglia activity and inflammatory processes in the brain. The researchers also observed changes in sleep patterns, including longer periods of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.
Is Alzheimer's curable in humans?
However, it is too early to look at this study as a cure for Alzheimer's. This experiment has only been conducted on rats, and its effectiveness and safety in humans has yet to be proven. Microglia play an important role in brain protection, so any treatment aimed at reducing their numbers requires careful study.
Nevertheless, this study provides new information in understanding the connection between Alzheimer's and sleep. If similar results are found in future studies on humans, it may open up new avenues of treatment for sleep-related problems.