Tiny disruptions during sleep may reveal clues about Alzheimer’s risk long before the first memory problems begin.
Frequent micro-awakenings during sleep were linked to higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in healthy middle-aged adults who had no symptoms. The discovery raises the possibility that subtle changes during sleep could offer an early warning signal years before memory problems appear.
Could subtle changes during sleep reveal vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease years before memory problems become noticeable? Researchers at ULiège, supported by the Stop Alzheimer’s Foundation, are investigating whether the sleeping brain may contain early clues.
Scientists from the University of Liège (GIGA Neurosciences) examined sleep patterns in more than 500 healthy people. Among participants in middle age, more frequent nighttime micro awakenings were associated with a higher genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. That relationship was not detected among younger adults.
The findings, published in the journal Sleep, raise the possibility that sleep measurements could eventually help researchers identify people who may be more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s before symptoms develop.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005218.htm
