Unplanned midday drowsiness may be more than a sign of fatigue. In a Johns Hopkins-led study that followed 995 Americans age 65 and older for as long as 10 years, participants who napped most days or every day had a 48% greater likelihood of developing dementia than those who rarely or never napped, even after researchers adjusted for health, nighttime sleep and other factors. The study also found that dozing off unintentionally was associated with a 39% higher dementia risk, while naps lasting 30 minutes or less were linked to about a 40% increase, according to a release.
The researchers emphasized that the findings do not show naps cause dementia, noting that the study depended on self-reported information. They also pointed to mixed results in previous research, including some studies in which longer naps appeared more concerning. According to Neuroscience News, the broader picture may reflect a complex two-way relationship between daytime sleepiness and neurodegeneration, with dementia affecting brain areas that regulate sleep and wakefulness. The study, published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, suggests that changes in napping patterns could act as an early warning sign.
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