Sleep may reveal Alzheimer's risk years before symptoms
Researchers have identified a link between the activity of the locus coeruleus in the brainstem and REM sleep characteristics in healthy individuals. In the future, sleep indicators could help in early detection of Alzheimer's risk, but scientists emphasize that the data are not yet sufficient for diagnostic use.
A new study reported by Earth.com has found a connection between the activity of the locus coeruleus—a small brainstem region involved in regulating wakefulness—and REM sleep characteristics. The experiment involved 52 healthy volunteers: 34 people aged 18 to 31 and 18 participants aged 50 to 70. After a week of regular sleep schedules, they spent a night in a lab where brain activity was recorded via EEG, and daytime locus coeruleus activity was assessed using functional MRI. In both age groups, a stronger locus coeruleus response during tasks corresponded to more pronounced theta activity during REM sleep. However, in the older group, high locus coeruleus activity during a different task type was linked to less pronounced theta activity. Scientists emphasize that the data show statistical correlations, not causal relationships, and did not test for pathological tau protein or genetic predisposition. The results cannot be interpreted as a method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.