ULiège study links frequent micro-awakenings to higher Alzheimer's genetic risk in adults 50-69
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University of Liège researchers found that more frequent nighttime micro-awakenings were associated with higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease in adults aged 50 to 69. The association was absent in younger adults aged 18 to 31. The study, published in Sleep, analyzed sleep patterns and polygenic risk scores in more than 500 healthy participants.
Key Facts
- The study included more than 500 healthy participants, mostly young adults aged 18 to 31 plus an older group aged 50 to 69.
- Among participants aged 50 to 69, more frequent nighttime micro-awakenings were associated with higher polygenic risk for Alzheimer's disease.
- No association between micro-awakenings and Alzheimer's genetic risk was found in participants aged 18 to 31.
- The findings were published in the journal Sleep.
- The study was supported by the Stop Alzheimer's Foundation.
Study Design
Researchers at the University of Liège (GIGA Neurosciences) examined sleep patterns in more than 500 healthy people. Most participants were young adults aged 18 to 31, while the study also included an older group aged 50 to 69. The researchers calculated a polygenic risk score for each participant, summarizing the combined influence of genes on the probability of developing Alzheimer's disease. The polygenic risk measured in the study remained low and cannot determine whether any particular person will eventually develop Alzheimer's disease.
Micro-Awakenings and Genetic Risk
The analysis revealed an association between genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease and the frequency of nighttime micro-awakenings. Micro-awakenings are very brief bursts of brain activity that can interrupt the normal sleep cycle without causing someone to become fully awake. Among younger participants, researchers found no connection between these micro-awakenings and Alzheimer's genetic risk. In the older group, participants who experienced more frequent micro-awakenings also tended to have higher genetic risk, despite being healthy, relatively young and free of Alzheimer's symptoms. Puneet Talwar, a researcher at the GIGA ULiège laboratory, said these micro-awakenings are not insignificant and that certain profiles could promote the accumulation of proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease and be associated with increased vulnerability.
Locus Coeruleus Focus
The researchers also examined the locus coeruleus, a tiny area deep within the brainstem that is roughly the size of a grain of rice.
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ULiège study links frequent micro-awakenings to higher Alzheimer's genetic risk in adults 50-69
