Deep sleep, brainwashing, and Alzheimers

[sl8]

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/10/31/775068218/how-deep-sleep-may-help-the-brain-clear-alzheimers-toxins#:~:text=The%20Brain%20During%20Sleep,those%20associated%20with%20Alzheimer's%20disease.

From 2019

How Deep Sleep May Help The Brain Clear Alzheimer's Toxins

October 31, 2019 3:21 PM ET
Heard on All Things Considered
Jon Hamilton

3-Minute Listen

The brain waves generated during deep sleep appear to trigger a cleaning system in the brain that protects it against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Electrical signals known as slow waves appear just before a pulse of fluid washes through the brain, presumably removing toxins associated with Alzheimer's, researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science.

The finding could help explain a puzzling link between sleep and Alzheimer's, says Laura Lewis, an author of the study and an assistant professor in the department of biomedical engineering at Boston University.

"Some disruption to the way sleep is working could potentially be contributing to the decline in brain health," Lewis says.

[...]

[targetpractice]

1. This is super fascinating... Thanks!

The whole brain rinsing phenomenon was only discovered a few years ago, opened up avenues of research in sleep medical research.

[secondwind]

2. Wow!

😮

[lark]

3. According to my Fitbit, I am marginal for deep sleep.

I'm always at the low end for both deep and REM sleep and do have some memory issues. I went to my primary care dr. but I'd just upped my Cymbalta rx so she said give it a two months and see what happens. I've actually been getting better deep and REM sleep in general but still at the low end. It's been one month so we'll see what's happening at the end of Oct.

Sleep is a very complicated issue for so many.

[Xoan]

4. Brainwashing is good?

[NH Ethylene]

5. Literally washing out the brain.

That word threw me off too.

[NH Ethylene]

6. That is so interesting!

I've been nervous about Alzheimer's since my Dad and his sister both died of/with it. But one thing I do very well is sleep!