A Study on the Bi-directional Relationship Between Sleep Disturbance and Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by gradual memory loss and cognitive decline. This multifactorial condition is influenced by aging, genetic predispositions, and various lifestyle factors. Among these, sleep has emerged as a critical component of overall health, with recent research highlighting a bi-directional relationship between sleep disturbances and AD. On one hand, poor sleep may contribute to the onset and progression of AD by exacerbating pathological processes; on the other hand, the accumulation of AD-related pathologies can further disrupt sleep. Notably, slow-wave sleep (SWS) has emerged as a key overlapping factor in this relationship. By examining the interplay between sleep disorderssuch as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and narcolepsyand AD, this article seeks to deepen the understanding of their shared mechanisms. Ultimately, unraveling this complex relationship may provide new insights into the etiology of AD and pave the way for innovative treatment strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of sleep disturbances on disease progression.