New Study published by scientists from Copenhagen and University of Rochester shows for the first time how sleep refreshes our brain by “removing,” toxins or waste, and that the popular sleep sedative Ambien (Zolpidem) may block the cleansing process and increase our risk of getting Dementia.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is the loss of higher-level cognitive functioning-thinking, remembering and reasoning-to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia ranges from mild to severe when a person must depend on others for basic activities of daily living. It effects millions of people and most common as people grow older (about one-third at age 85 or older) but is NOT considered a normal part of aging.
There are several kinds of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common and then rarer types like Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), that afflicts even our favorite celebrities like Bruce Willis.
Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the buildup of toxic proteins like B-amyloid proteins in the brain leading to progressive cognitive decline. Tau protein build up is also associated in Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Parkinson’s disease.
How does a good night’s sleep prevent Dementia?
We need a good night’s sleep to restore and repair our brain and body and based on the New Study a chemical norepinephrine turns on a cascade of events activating our brain’s “glymphatic,” system to remove the daily “wastes,” by acting like a pump moving byproducts (and possibly proteins that cause dementia) from the central nervous system into the glymphatic system and out of the body.
What is the “glymphatic system,” of the brain, is it like the lymphatic system?
Somewhat, and can be considered the lymphatic system of the brain. The glymphatic system runs next to the blood vessels of our brain pushing blood and wastes along. It is revved up at night while we sleep cleansing our brain of impurities that build up during the day.
Glymphatic system was discovered by a Danish scientist and comes from glial cells which are the supporting cells of brain to make the neurons or powerhouse of the brain work better. If the glymphatic system is interrupted and does not work right brain toxins can build up and may lead to dementia.
Why do Sleep medicines lead to Dementia?
In this New study done in mice (but may apply to people) when given Ambien or Zolpidem, a popular prescription sedative for sleep fell asleep faster but blocked the glymphatic cleaning process of the brain leading to a buildup of brain “wastes” that over time could lead to dementia or poor brain functioning.
It is also good to know that getting older, high blood pressure, diabetes and traumatic brain injury like the “punch drunk” syndrome that happens in boxers can disrupt the glymphatic system leading to more buildup of toxins and may also lead to cognitive decline.
Should I stop taking Sleeping Medications if causing Dementia?
The new study was the first to describe using special techniques to better understand the importance of restorative brain cleansing while we transition from a state of wakefulness to sleep and how disruption with sedating sleep medications, may over the long-term cause “dirty,” brain or dementia.
In terms of stopping sleep medications especially sedative ones, you should first talk to your doctor as many should be weaned off as your body may be dependent on them to sleep. Also, it is difficult to generalize based on one study but if you are at risk of dementia or getting older, it may be time to consider other non-medication options to help you sleep better.
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