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How to Decrease Chances of Alzheimer’s Disease

How to Decrease Chances of Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on: October 7, 2021

Simulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Washing Through the Brain
Simulation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Washing Through the Brain

Our brains collect a form of dust that inhibits access to memory.

While not exactly dust, the term dust refers to beta-amyloid toxins (BATs) collected in the brain as it functions in the wake state. The body works to eliminate the brain of these toxins during deep sleep through a process of large, slow waves of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) washing through the brain. These CSF waves cause blood to thin in the brain enabling the CSF to erode and wash away the BATs.

When these CSF waves decrease in size and cycle, blood remains heavily in the brain. When blood remains heavily in the brain, the BATs the blood carries strenthen their bonds with brain cells and neurons. As the toxins build, like plaque on teeth, the abilities to use the functions of the brain cells and neurons start to deminish. This deminished capability makes it harder to access memory cells.

According to researchers, people with sleep problems have increased vulnerability to Alzheimer’s. In recent research of sufferers of Alzheimer’s and those without the disease, test subjects were studied with MRI. The project monitored cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as it flowed through the brain.(1)

Test subjects without Alzheimer’s were observed with Delta wave cycles of 20-seconds. The peak of the Delta wave preceded the CSF cycle by a couple of seconds. Conversely, sufferers of Alzheimer’s had longer Delta wave cycles of decreased strength followed by slower, deminished CSF waves.

Deep sleep, non-rapid eye movement sleep, allows the brain to rest. The rapid eye movement (REM) cycle comes after the non-REM cycle. A person must reach deep sleep, which contributes to insightful thinking, creativity, and memory. REM sleep enriches cognitive functions like memory, learning, and creativity.(2)

It’s critical that one get enough sleep. Each sleep state provides the ability of the body and brain to recuperate and develop. A lack of both non-REM and REM sleep negatively affect one’s ability to think clearly, produces negative emotions, and reduces physical health.

People with sleep apnea frequently during the non-REM stages. This constant waking inhibits one’s ability to reach REM. Insomiacs may not get enough sleep to accumulate the needed time for each stage.

Sadly, as BATs build up in the brain, sleep decreases and decreased sleep results in more BATs.

If you have sleep problems, start a sleep log. After a couple of weeks, take your log to your doctor and ask for help. We created a sleep log for your use.

(1) How Deep Sleep May Help The Brain Clear Alzheimer’s Toxins. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/10/31/775068218/how-deep-sleep-may-help-the-brain-clear-alzheimers-toxins

(2) Stages of Sleep. https://www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/stages-of-sleep/rem-sleep/