A long-term study of initially healthy 65-year-olds found that those who slept the least (about five hours or less without waking) tended to have fewer neurons (brain cells) in a part of the brain that controls sleep. Also: Many in the study who developed Alzheimer’s disease were those who had fewer neurons and less sleep. To protect your brain: Keep neurons healthy with good sleep habits, and seek treatment if you suspect you may have a sleep disorder.
Andrew Lim, MD, assistant professor of neurology, University of Toronto, Canada.
