Latest news with #EuropeanAcademyofNeurologyCongress2025
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Some dreams can actually kill and are linked to higher early death risk than smoking, says study
Nightmares might feel like harmless disturbances, but a new study has revealed they could have serious consequences for health and longevity. Researchers from the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London have found that adults who experience nightmares weekly are more than three times as likely to die before the age of 70, compared to those who rarely have them. The study, presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025, analysed data from over 183,000 adults aged 26 to 86, and 2,429 children aged between eight and 10. Adult participants reported how often they experienced nightmares, and the researchers tracked their health over a period of up to 19 years. For children, nightmare frequency was reported by parents. Link Between Nightmares and Accelerated Aging One of the study's key findings was that regular nightmares were not just linked to disturbed sleep but also to signs of faster biological aging . Researchers measured telomere length—protective structures at the ends of chromosomes that shorten as we age—as well as molecular aging markers called epigenetic clocks. Both children and adults with more frequent nightmares showed signs of accelerated cellular aging. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn About Solar Work Opportunities in Canada and the UK LocalPlan Search Now Undo Dr Abidemi Otaiku, who led the study, explained that nightmares trigger the body's stress response. Since the brain cannot differentiate dreams from real-life events, these experiences activate the fight-or-flight system, often waking individuals with physical symptoms like sweating and a racing heart. This stress leads to elevated cortisol levels, a hormone associated with aging at the cellular level. Otaiku noted that this cumulative stress—alongside the disruption of sleep quality and duration—may be a major contributor to faster aging and premature death. In fact, nightmare frequency proved to be a stronger predictor of early mortality than widely acknowledged risk factors such as obesity, smoking, poor diet, or lack of exercise. Nightmares as a Public Health Concern The findings applied across all age groups, genders, ethnic backgrounds, and mental health conditions, suggesting a widespread effect. Notably, even monthly nightmares were associated with increased risk, reinforcing the idea that even occasional sleep disturbances could have long-term health impacts. The study also tracked 227 premature deaths during the follow-up period and found that people reporting weekly nightmares at the start were significantly more likely to be among those who died early. Can Nightmares Be Prevented? Despite the alarming results, experts stress that nightmares are treatable. According to Otaiku, managing stress and improving sleep hygiene can reduce the frequency of bad dreams. Avoiding disturbing media before bed, addressing anxiety or depression, and seeking help from sleep specialists are all recommended. Psychological treatments like image rehearsal therapy, where individuals consciously reimagine their nightmares with more positive outcomes, have shown success and can even be practiced at home. Given how common nightmares are and the significant health risks they pose, the researchers emphasised the need to take them seriously—not just as sleep disturbances, but as potential contributors to chronic stress and early death.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New Study Finds That A Blood Test For Diabetes Might Actually Predict Alzheimer's Progression
A new study suggests a simple blood test could tell who is at higher risk for rapid cognitive decline with Alzheimer's. The study found that people with higher insulin resistance were up to four times more likely to have rapid cognitive decline. Here's what to know about the test and how to get one. Historically, it has been quite difficult for doctors to predict how fast patients will experience cognitive decline with Alzheimer's disease, especially since the neurodegenerative disease impacts people differently based on a slew of factors. But new research has discovered that a specific blood test may help doctors get more answers, which could, in theory, help them respond more quickly with appropriate treatment and providing patients with more information. (But of course, experts first need to gather more data and perform further studies on the test.) The test measures insulin resistance, a condition where the body's cells don't respond properly to insulin, a hormone that helps escort blood sugar into cells for energy. The latest study finds a link between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease progression, helping doctors and patients glean more information about what may be in store. Here's what the study found, plus what neurologists want you to know. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, is a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, is the medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University. The study, which was presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025, analyzed health records of 315 people without diabetes who had cognitive deficits. Of those, 200 had confirmed cases of Alzheimer's disease. All of the patients had their insulin resistance checked using something called the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index, a way to check insulin resistance, based on fasting triglyceride (a type of fat in the blood) and blood sugar levels, at the start of the study and three years later. The researchers discovered that patients in the mild cognitive impairment group with higher TyG levels had their cognitive health deteriorate a lot faster than those who were lower on the TyG index. Ultimately, the researchers found that people with higher TyG levels were up to four times more likely to have rapid cognitive decline compared to those who were lower on the scale. For starters, this type of blood test isn't actually new. We're just discovering new ways it can be used. The TyG index is already used to look for insulin resistance in people, so technically, you could get this test now if your doctor thought that it was medically appropriate. Just know that it's usually used in the context of diabetes or when your doctor suspects you might have diabetes. The test appears to be pretty accurate in predicting rapid mental decline. The researchers found that people with high TyG ended up losing more than 2.5 points on the Mini Mental State Examination per year, which is a standardized test used to look at cognitive function in older adults. In Alzheimer's disease, insulin resistance is thought to interfere with how the brain uses glucose (blood sugar). It's also believed to promote the build-up of amyloid, or proteins deposits in the brain that are linked with Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, insulin resistance can disrupt the blood-brain barrier and fuel inflammation in the brain. All of these are linked with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. 'Insulin resistance often reflects features of overall health," says Amit Sachdev, MD, MS, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University, pointing out that a major contributor to insulin resistance is higher bodyweight. 'If the overall health of the body is not optimal, then the brain will not be well supported and can be less resilient.' But the link between insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease is still being explored, says Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. So, while it's clear that it seems to play some role, it's hard to tell what it's specifically doing as it relates to brain health. Your doctor can order one of these tests for you. However, neurologists say there are better options right now if you're concerned about Alzheimer's disease development and are looking for answers. 'Some tests that are more specific for Alzheimer's are serum amyloid and tau levels,' Dr. Sachdev sys. 'Tests that help predict risk for the anti-amyloid therapies used in Alzheimer's is the APO-E genotype. These studies are useful today in understand risk of dementia, type of dementia, and risk of treatment.' Dr. Segil says that doctors are 'extremely cautious' about using blood tests like TyG to determine if someone is at risk for developing dementia in the first place. 'There remains an extremely high number of false positive results in patients receiving various blood tests being marketed to determine if you are at risk for getting dementia,' he says. However, this specific study is exploring the test to see how quickly someone who already has cognitive decline will progress—and that usage is still being explored. All of this doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't get a TyG test. Just know that your doctor is more likely to use it while checking you for early signs of diabetes versus Alzheimer's disease right now. 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Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Having the same weekly night incident 'triple risk of dying early'
Experts saying the problem is a 'stronger predictor of premature death' than smoking A scientist has warned that experiencing nightmares on a weekly basis could potentially accelerate the ageing process and even triple the risk of premature death. The study found that individuals who report having nightmares weekly are over three times more likely to die before reaching 70, compared to those who rarely or never have them. Alarmingly for those with poor sleep patterns, the research identified nightmares as a "stronger predictor of premature death" than factors such as smoking, obesity, poor diet, and low physical activity. The research team, led by Dr Abidemi Otaiku from the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London, scrutinised data from 2,429 children aged between eight and ten, and 183,012 adults aged between 26 and 86, over a span of 19 years. They discovered that those reporting weekly nightmares were over three times more likely to die before hitting 70, compared to those who claimed they seldom or never experienced nightmares. Dr Otaiku stated: "Individuals who experience more frequent nightmares age faster and die earlier." According to Otaiku, there's a clear link, with his team also finding that the frequency of nightmares is a stronger predictor of early death than smoking, obesity, poor diet or lack of physical activity. These findings were presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2025 in Helsinki, Finland, on 23 June. The combined effects of chronic stress and disrupted sleep are believed to contribute to the accelerated ageing of our cells and bodies. Dr Otaiku explained, "Our sleeping brains cannot distinguish dreams from reality. That's why nightmares often wake us up sweating, gasping for breath, and with our hearts pounding – because our fight-or-flight response has been triggered. This stress reaction can be even more intense than anything we experience while awake." The research team also examined the biological age of participants by measuring the length of telomeres, which are tiny DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten each time a cell divides, a process linked to premature ageing. The study involved about 2,400 children aged between 8 and 10, with parents reporting on the frequency of their children's nightmares. Adults in the study underwent an additional biological age assessment using molecular markers known as epigenetic clocks. Otaiku found a consistent link between frequent nightmares and accelerated ageing across all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. "Even in childhood, people who have more frequent nightmares have short telomeres, indicating faster cellular ageing," he revealed. For the adults, the rapid biological ageing accounted for roughly 40 per cent of their increased risk of mortality. As for the reasons behind this connection, Otaiku suggests it might be down to two factors. One theory he proposes is that nightmares may trigger sustained high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is known to cause quicker cellular ageing. READ MORE: Early sign of dementia and Alzheimer's that can appear while you're on holiday "Nightmares often wake us with our hearts pounding, in a stress reaction more intense than anything we experience when awake," he elaborated. The second factor is sleep disruption, which can interfere with the body's nocturnal cellular repair processes. Such sleep disturbances have been associated with an increased risk of numerous health problems, including heart disease. A feature titled 'Insomnia' delves into the topic of melatonin, noting that while millions rely on it to fall asleep, combat jet lag, and adapt to shift work, emerging evidence suggests we might not fully comprehend this hormone or how best to use it. Dr Otaiku suggested that if people are eager to dodge recurring nightmares, there are usually simple solutions which may involve avoiding horror films and addressing mental health issues such as anxiety. He stated that basic steps like maintaining good sleep hygiene, managing stress, seeking treatment for anxiety or depression, and refraining from watching frightening films can be effective in curbing nightmares.
