Sleep Impacts Cognitive Health
Between 40-70% of older adults have chronic sleep problems. Poor sleep is associated with cognitive impairment.
Poor sleep for older adults is associated with disruptions in the brain’s waste removal system. The glymphatic system transports fluids that clear waste from the brain during sleep, which is critical for maintaining optimal brain health. Dysfunction of the glymphatic system leads to the accumulation of toxic proteins, and that buildup is implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Researchers collected MRI brain images, sleep recordings, and self-reported data on sleep quality from 72 older healthy Chinese adults (average age 73, 42 female).
They discovered that poor sleep:
Negatively impacts connections within brain networks linked to memory performance, and
Impairs the brain’s glymphatic system, crucial for clearing harmful proteins.
The researchers stated, “maintaining efficient glymphatic functioning seems crucial for promoting healthy aging.”
Takeaway: Part of the restorative role of sleep is the clearance of toxic proteins from the brain by the glymphatic system. To protect against memory decline, invest in getting sufficient sleep.
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Sources
Junji Ma, et al., Effects of sleep on the glymphatic functioning and multimodal human brain network affecting memory in older adults | Molecular Psychiatry, Oct. 14, 2024.
Jaymee Ng, Poor Sleep Linked to Brain’s Waste-Removal Breakdown - Neuroscience News, Mar. 11, 2025.
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