2024-07-04 12:05:58
People who frequently have bad dreams have an increased risk of developing dementia. This is the conclusion reached by London scientists.
People who frequently suffer from nightmares have an increased risk of developing dementia. This is the result of a study by Imperial College London that was recently presented at the Congress of the European Academy of Neurology.
The connection between the frequency of bad dreams and the risk of cognitive decline was examined. The researchers used data from over 3,200 people between the ages of 35 and 64, as the “Ärzteblatt” reports. The observation period was 13 and seven years respectively.
The result: Compared to middle-aged adults who reported not having had bad dreams at the start, those who reported having nightmares on a weekly basis had a four times higher risk of cognitive decline. In older adults, the difference in dementia risk was about twice as high.
This means that anxiety dreams can be a harbinger of later dementia. “Nightmares have a very strong connection to many brain and other diseases, and I firmly believe that doctors should ask more often about nightmares,” said study leader Abidemi Otaiku.
The link between nightmares and brain diseases such as Parkinson’s has already been proven in the literature, but can also help predict autoimmune diseases such as lupus and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood.
Stress, anxiety or depression often cause nightmares. But genetics also apparently play a role: “Recent research has shown that some people have a number of genes that make them prone to nightmares,” said Otaiku. “Other studies have shown that people whose parents have nightmares are more likely to have them too.
Risk factors such as stress and depression alone promote dementia, but sleep disorders and interrupted sleep also contribute to it. Five percent of the general population have anxiety disorders that could be classified as nightmare disorders. If they really affect the quality of life, people should not hesitate to see a doctor, says Otaiku.
Psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and medication can help. If there is no identifiable cause, image therapy before bedtime can be helpful.
If the cause is psychological, appropriate treatment should be sought to better manage stress levels, either through lifestyle changes, psychotherapy or medication.
For nightmares with no apparent cause that are affecting quality of life, image therapy right before bed can be helpful. “Think of a nightmare you have regularly and before you go to sleep, think about how you can change the ending. For example, if you think you are being chased and eaten by a tiger, change the ending so that the tiger hugs you. You can even write it down and go through that image in your head before you go to bed,” Otaikus advises.