Dreams are an essential part of our lives, but we still know little about their role and significance. A recent study published in The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine journal found that frequent nightmares may be linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. Researchers analyzed data from over 3,000 participants aged 35-79 and discovered a strong connection between weekly nightmares and cognitive decline.
The study showed that middle-aged participants who experienced nightmares every week were four times more likely to experience cognitive decline over the following decade. For older participants, the risk was twice as high. The connection between nightmares and dementia was stronger in men than women.
Treating nightmares has already shown promise in reducing abnormal proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Improvements in memory and thinking skills have also been reported after treating nightmares. Future research plans include investigating whether nightmares in young people are linked to increased dementia risk and exploring other dream characteristics that may help determine future dementia risk.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/an-early-sign-of-dementia-risk-may-be-keeping-you-up-at-night