Work

Timing and intraindividual variability of daytime napping and Alzheimer’s disease in older adults

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Excessive daytime napping has been associated with neurodegeneration in older adults, but prior research has focused on nap duration and frequency. Emerging frameworks emphasize the multidimensionality of sleep, but it remains unknown whether other dimensions of napping (e.g., timing, variability) are linked to neurodegeneration. To address this gap, we investigated the associations of daytime nap timing and intraindividual variability of nap duration with incident Alzheimer’s dementia and Alzheimer’s disease pathology. We analyzed data from 936 older adults (age range: 56–99; 77% female) in the Rush Memory and Aging Project to examine incident Alzheimer’s dementia and from 320 deceased participants (age range at death: 71–105; 70% female) to examine Alzheimer’s pathology. The proportions of morning (9–11am) and early afternoon naps (1–3 pm) and the intraindividual variability of nap duration were assessed using actigraphy. Participants completed neurological assessments at baseline and annually for up to 17 years. In deceased participants, amyloid β and neurofibrillary tangles were examined. Here we show that more morning naps are linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s dementia, whereas more early afternoon naps are linked to reduced amyloid β levels. Higher intraindividual variability of nap duration is shown to be associated with increased amyloid β and neurofibrillary tangles. Our findings suggest that specific timing patterns and irregularities in daytime napping are linked to Alzheimer’s disease risk and pathology. Multi-dimensional assessments of nap behaviors may aid in risk stratification for neurocognitive impairment and offer a potential target for interventions aimed at promoting healthy cognitive aging. Research suggests that too much daytime napping is associated with adverse brain health in older adults. However, how the timing and regularity of daytime naps link to cognitive health remain unclear. We followed over 1000 older adults for up to 17 years and used wrist-worn watches to measure their nap patterns. We found that more frequent morning naps were linked to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia. Additionally, more naps in the early afternoon and more consistent nap patterns were linked to lower levels of Alzheimer’s pathology. These findings suggest that when and how people nap during the day may help inform the risk of developing dementia. Gao et al. examine if napping patterns can predict individuals at risk for cognitive impairment. They find that among older adults, more morning naps are linked to a higher Alzheimer’s risk, while more early afternoon naps and less variability in nap duration are linked to lower levels of Alzheimer’s pathology.

Source: Communications Medicine

DOI: 10.1038/s43856-025-00936-1