According to research carried out by Washington University in St Louis just one poor nights sleep can cause an increase in amylase beta, a protein in the brain associated with Alzheimer's. Whilst only a small study, one to be a big concern.
It also states that after just one week of tossing and turning leads to an increase in tau, another brain protein which again is linked to Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases.
These findings are clearly scary especially as we now have much more knowledge and association with the disease that is Alzheimer's.
The brains of people with Alzheimer's are dotted with plaques of amyloid beta and tau proteins which together cause brain tissue to die. Unfortunately there are still no findings proven to prevent, slow or reverse the course of the disease.
As we'e detailed before poor sleep does have an impact on cognitive problems.
There is a huge amount of research around this disease across the Globe but it still can't be said that improving sleep will reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's. All that can be said is poor sleep increases levels of some proteins that are associated with Alzheimer's.
So while we have no guarantees of warding away Alzheimer's it is clear a good nights sleep will keep us healthier