Poor sleep may make your brain age faster Image By HPN Staff Key Points People with chronic sleep issues may have brains that appear older than their actual age, even by measurable MRI-based “brain age” assessments. Poor sleep is linked to higher risks of dementia, inflammation, and cognitive decline — not just short-term fatigue. Consistent sleep routines, healthy habits, and early medical intervention can help protect long-term brain health. Poor sleep is not just an inconvenience. Evidence is mounting that it can have measurable effects on the brain, making healthy sleep habits a key component of long-term health. A new study suggests that individuals who experience poor sleep may have brains that appear older than their actual age. Scientists in the United Kingdom studied 27,000 adults aged 40 to 70 over a nine-year period, combining MRI scans, AI analysis and participants’ reported sleep habits. Researchers discovered that those who reported poor sleep had brains that appeared significantly older on imaging than expected for their age. On average, the so-called “brain age gap” was about one year, though people with more severe sleep problems had larger gaps. Just like visible aging, medical experts say internal organs age in measurable ways. While a one-year difference might not seem large, they say even small changes in brain aging can accumulate over time. Why it matters Poor sleep is increasingly linked to higher risks of dementia and other health problems. A recent survey found that 14.5% of adults reported regular sleep difficulties. Research shows that sleep affects mood and cognitive function and that inflammation — the immune system’s response to stress and damage — may underlie some of these effects. “This study really underscores something we’ve suspected for a while: poor sleep isn’t just about feeling tired the next day, it can actually affect your brain’s aging,” said Raj Dasgupta, MD, chief medical advisor for Sleepopolis. “People with insomnia, snoring or restless nights may have brains that look older than they really are, which highlights how important good sleep is for long-term cognitive health.” Understanding the effects of poor sleep has been challenging, but advances in AI are now helping scientists study brain aging in greater detail, offering new insights into how lifestyle factors like sleep quality shape long-term cognitive health. What you can do Doctors recommend adopting consistent sleep routines, paying attention to diet and seeking medical advice for chronic sleep problems. Early intervention can help identify underlying issues and reduce risks linked to accelerated brain aging. Prioritizing good sleep, they say, isn’t just about feeling rested — it’s a key step in supporting long-term brain health. SUGGESTED STORIES Why losing sleep could be the latest medical crisis The American Medical Association has officially declared sleep deprivation a “public health crisis,” urging expanded research into the numerous factors driving the national trend — including excessive screen time for children and teenagers. More Read more Telehealth appointments can boost impact of weight-loss drugs, study finds Regular telehealth appointments for obesity patients could significantly improve the effectiveness of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which are often prescribed online without follow-up, new research has shown. That could be significant when it comes to lon Read more Heart attacks no longer the leading cause of heart disease deaths Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., but the types of heart conditions causing those deaths are changing. While deaths from heart attacks have dropped significantly over the past five decades, fatalities from other forms of heart disease — especially heart Read more
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