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Blood test shows promise for early detection of dementia

Researchers have discovered a blood test that can identify patients with a sleep disorder who are most likely to develop Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The blood test analyzes two proteins in the blood associated with Alzheimer's disease and predicted dementia risk in almost 90% of patients, four years before symptoms appeared.

SourceMcGill University·JournalBrain·DateMar 11, 2025

HKU study shows bad sleep harms old-age memory by disrupting the brain’s ‘waste removal system’

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that poor sleep quality among older adults disrupts the brain's glymphatic system, leading to memory decline. The research team found that deactivation of the restorative glymphatic system negatively impacts normal brain function and cognitive health.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2025

The pupil as a window to the sleeping brain

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that pupil dynamics is related to specific patterns of brain activity and arousal levels, contradicting previous assumptions about low arousal during sleep. The study uses pupil measurements to monitor brain activity in humans for the first time.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2025

Brain waves measured during sleep predict cognitive impairment years before symptoms appear, study finds

Researchers developed an AI tool to predict cognitive impairment over the next five years by analyzing brain wave patterns during sleep using EEG. The tool identified subtle differences in brain wave patterns that predicted which participants would later be diagnosed with cognitive impairment.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeObservational study·DateMar 4, 2025

Antidepressants linked to faster cognitive decline in dementia

A new observational study suggests that antidepressants can accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia, while certain medications appear to be less harmful. Researchers analyzed data from 18,740 patients and found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with the fastest cognitive decline.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2025

Novel neuronal mechanism for stress induced alteration in behavior

Studies using a rodent model found sustained increase in neural activity in the paraventricular thalamus (PVT) after exposure to a strongly stressful event. This persistent activity is linked to altered behavior, including restlessness and disturbed sleep patterns. The findings suggest a new therapeutic target for stress-related issues.

SourceInstitute of Experimental Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeNews article·DateJan 24, 2025

The reliability of subjective reports of sleep duration and quality: Insights from in-home electroencephalography

Research found that 66% of individuals who perceived their sleep as poor showed no objective sleep problems, while 45% of those who considered their sleep sufficient were identified as potentially sleep-deprived. The study highlights the inadequacy of relying solely on subjective sleep assessments and emphasizes the importance of incor...

SourceInternational Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine, University of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2025

Qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans

A pilot study found that qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans, improving physical function and reducing sleep disturbance. The holistic practice also showed positive effects on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and social roles, highlighting its potential as a nonpharmacological treatment option.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPain Management Nursing·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 17, 2025

Waking up is not stressful, study finds

Researchers at the University of Bristol found no increase in cortisol release after waking, contrary to long-held assumptions. The study's findings suggest that daily cortisol rhythms may play a more significant role in regulating stress responses.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 14, 2025

Mount Sinai-led team enhances automated method to detect common sleep disorder affecting millions

A Mount Sinai-led team has developed an automated machine learning method that analyzes video recordings of clinical sleep tests to detect REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) with nearly 92% accuracy. RBD is a sleep condition that causes abnormal movements during REM sleep and is often an early sign of Parkinson's disease or dementia.

How deep sleep clears a mouse’s mind, literally

Researchers discovered that norepinephrine triggers blood vessel constriction to propel cerebrospinal fluid through the brain, clearing out waste. The findings suggest that sleep aids may disrupt this process, potentially affecting long-term cognitive health.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2025

Research Spotlight: Researchers reveal the influences behind timing of sleep spindle production

A study published in PNAS found that short-term timing patterns of past brain activity are the primary determinant of sleep spindle timing, accounting for over 70% of its variability. These individualized patterns change with age and provide a new target for understanding how sleep supports memory.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 7, 2025

Breathing coordinates brain rhythms for memory consolidation during sleep

A new study by Northwestern University researchers found that breathing rhythms coordinate hippocampal brain waves during sleep, strengthening memory consolidation. This synchronization is critical for proper memory formation and retrieval, with implications for treating disordered breathing during sleep, such as sleep apnea.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 16, 2024

Study finds tonsil removal not linked to undesirable weight gain, contrary to popular belief

Researchers found no correlation between adenotonsillectomies and undesirable weight gain in children with mild sleep-disordered breathing. The study used data from a clinical trial involving 458 children and showed that adenotonsillectomy improved symptoms, blood pressure, and quality of life but not primary neurodevelopmental outcomes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 11, 2024

Printed e-tattoo ink-credible at reading brainwaves

Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin and UCLA have created an e-tattoo that can measure brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG). The new method uses a camera to map the individual head's shape digitally, allowing for more precise sensor placement. This innovation could transform brain-computer interfaces, making th...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalCell Biomaterials·DateDec 3, 2024

Two ERC Consolidator Grants in medicine

Researchers at the University of Bonn are developing an AI foundation model to improve radiology and detect Parkinson's disease earlier. The 'Re-Start PD' project aims to identify the condition before symptoms appear, with potential applications in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

A new clock to structure sleep

Researchers identified a novel role for the locus coeruleus in facilitating transition between NREM and REM sleep states while maintaining unconscious vigilance. Stress disrupts its functions, negatively impacting sleep quality. The study provides crucial insights into sleep disorders and could lead to improved treatments.

SourceUniversity of Lausanne·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024

Opening a new avenue in predicting mood episodes using wearable devices: A sleep and circadian rhythm data analysis model

Researchers developed a novel model predicting mood episodes using only sleep-wake pattern data from wearable devices. The study found daily changes in circadian rhythm are key predictors of mood episodes, offering new possibilities for tracking individual changes to prevent future episodes.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2024

New guideline provides treatment recommendations for restless legs syndrome

The new clinical practice guideline recommends significant changes in the standard treatment of RLS in adults, emphasizing iron evaluation and supplementation. The guideline also suggests alternative treatments, including alpha-2-delta ligand calcium channel blockers and bilateral high-frequency peroneal nerve stimulation.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 13, 2024

Sleep is no light matter for bees

A new study found that artificial light significantly disrupts the circadian rhythms of honey bees, leading to impaired behaviors and reduced sleep periods. This poses a threat to their essential role as pollinators, supporting ecosystem stability and global food security.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2024

For multiple sclerosis, medication and cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce fatigue

A University of Michigan-led study found that treatment with either modafinil or cognitive behavioral therapy alone was associated with significant reductions in fatigue over 12 weeks. A combination of both treatments worked as well as each individual treatment but did not result in better fatigue scores.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 16, 2024

Scientists discover a secret to regulating our body clock, offering new approach to end jet lag

Researchers identified a protein called Casein Kinase 1 delta (CK1δ) that regulates our biological clock by tagging other proteins to fine-tune circadian rhythms. The discovery highlights how a small part of CK1δ can greatly influence its overall activity, opening new avenues for treating disorders related to the body clock.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2024

‘Forever chemicals’ linked to poor sleep among young adults in first-of-its-kind study

A study published in Environmental Advances found a significant association between four types of PFAS and poor sleep in young adults. The researchers identified genes involved in the body's natural defenses and a hormone that regulates sleep, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of PFAS' impact on sleep.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalEnvironmental Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 3, 2024

Center for BrainHealth investigates the relationship between cannabis use, sleep and memory

A recent study by the Center for BrainHealth found that long-term cannabis use is associated with poorer sleep quality, which in turn affects memory performance. The research, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, involved 141 adults with cannabis use disorder and 87 non-users.

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2024

New research shows regular mobile phone use can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, especially in smokers and people with diabetes

A large-scale prospective cohort study found a positive association between regular mobile phone use and incident cardiovascular disease risk, particularly in smokers and individuals with diabetes. Poor sleep patterns, psychological distress, and neuroticism may be key mechanisms underlying this association.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 4, 2024