Researchers have found a link between taking quick naps and a reduction in brain atrophy, The Guardian reported on June 20, 2023. This shows that taking a sleep during the day may help one retain brain health as they get older.
The capacity to learn may be enhanced by short sleeps, contrary to previous study that claimed extended naps may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. According to the authors of this new study, there is evidence that suggests napping may help guard against brain atrophy.
According to the study team, the relevance of this finding rests in the fact that persons with cognitive problems and neurodegenerative disorders experience brain shrinkage more quickly than healthy individuals do as they age normally. Additionally, some research imply that sleep issues can be related to this shrinking.
The University of the Republic in Uruguay and University College London (UCL) researchers found a significant correlation between regular daytime naps and increased total brain capacity. This might mean that taking frequent naps prevents neurodegeneration and makes up for sleep deprivation.
In a recent study, data from people between the ages of 40 and 69 were examined. They contrasted people with and without a genetic propensity for napping in terms of brain health and cognitive assessments. For the comparison, information from 35,080 people in the UK Biobank project was utilised.
Napping's Impact on The Brain
This approach allows researchers to study how napping affects the brain while minimising the influence of lifestyle variables like smoking or physical activity, which can affect people's napping habits and brain health. Foetal variations are randomly determined at birth.
According to research co-author Dr. Victoria Garfield of University College London, "It's like a normal randomised control trial," adding that these variations are fairly typical. She asserted that it affects "at least 1% of the population, and this percentage includes a very large number of individuals."
Overall, the team discovered a link between a genetic propensity for routine daytime naps and brain volume. They discovered that the average age difference in brain growth between those with and without a genetic propensity for napping was between 2.6 and 6.5 years.
Victoria contends that having a little sleep during the day can help to preserve brain volume and possibly lower the chance of developing dementia.
However, she made note of the several risk factors for dementia as well as the numerous other factors that might have an impact on brain size. Additionally, the study only included data from white Britons, and it is unknown exactly how long naps must be for them to be beneficial.
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