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This appears to have an interesting implication for FFI [1], a mysterious genetic disease that causes complete insomnia in adults and results in death. The fin

This appears to have an interesting implication for FFI [1], a mysterious genetic disease that causes complete insomnia in adults and results in death. The final stage of FFI is dementia. It turns out that the β-amyloids that are cleared during sleep according to this paper, are associated with certain types of dementia in the general population [2]. It also turns out that certain sleep disorders are dementia predictor [3]. This is just a laymen's speculation, but this is suggestive that dementia may be a type of sleep disorder, that it could be caused by some interruption in the process demonstrated in this paper. And this is a stretch, but it is known that FFI is caused by a malformed prion protein, which is a protein that is deeply involved in various neuron-related functions. It seems possible that this protein is involved in the cleansing process in some way. If so, that would be a HUGE deal, because abnormal prion proteins are associated with a huge variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Basically, I have high hopes for future research. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_familial_insomnia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_familial_insomnia [2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17502554 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17502554 [3] http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/781136 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/781136

drited 13y ago
To expand on the dementia issue, poor lighting can lead to disturbances in circadian rhythm and issues with sleep. Fixing this may help with dementia. Further research needed in the area. Sources: http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20080610/bright-light-improves-dementia-symptoms http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20080610/bright-light-i... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553247/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553247/
foxhill 13y ago
is your third source accessible from anywhere that doesn't require an account? i'd like to read it.
- drewcrawford 13y ago
  Paste the URL into Google. It seems that if your referrer is Google, no paywall for you.
srd 13y ago
Is it known if there are ways to support the cleanup process? I ask because due to allergies I have constant sinus congestions and as a result a very light sleep. On average I wake up (to the point where I'm consciously aware that I'm awake) 2 to 4 times per night, persumably due to lack of oxygen. I'm noticing memory issues; and while the process may not be reversable, I would like to halt it or at least slow it down as much as possible.
- dbbolton 13y ago
  My dad and I are in a similar situation to you- terrible nasal congestion constantly interfering with sleep. The quick and dirty solution is decongestants. However, vasoconstrictors (pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline, phenylepherine, etc.) often have a "rebound effect", i.e. when they wear off you find you're actually more congested than you were before you took the drug. In this sense they can be quite addictive. I try not to use any unless it's absolutely necessary, and only once every few days at that. One thing that helps a little bit is Breathe Right nasal strips. They will often open up the nasal passages enough that I no longer have to struggle to breathe through my nose. If I'm only slightly congested, I use these. I don't know if the increased air flow would be enough to keep you asleep or not, but it's probably worth a try. For the most part, I have pretty much adapted to function on a few hours' worth of sleep. I can go on a three hour nap twice a day for an indefinite length of time. I don't know if that is enough rest to fully clean up the brain, but I don't feel crappy all the time so I suppose it's good enough. It definitely works better for me than sleeping for 6 hours once a day. I typically sleep in on the weekends, but I recently saw an article claiming that isn't enough to erase slept debt accumulated during the week.
- aestra 13y ago
  Have you seen a doctor about this? I know they have CPAP machines which have a heated humidifier, which I presume will keep your congestion under control over the course of the night and your airways open. I'm no doctor, so go talk to yours and go see a sleep specialists to see why you are awaking in the middle of the night.
- lee 13y ago
  I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine nightly. My CPAP device comes with a humidifier chamber to keep the humidity of the air I breathe in high. One of the side-effects of using a CPAP machine is that sinus congestion never bothers me as long as I have the device on. It provides enough pressure that my sinus are forced to remain open when turned. So maybe look into using a CPAP machine to help you out.

drited 13y ago

To expand on the dementia issue, poor lighting can lead to disturbances in circadian rhythm and issues with sleep. Fixing this may help with dementia. Further research needed in the area. Sources: http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20080610/bright-light-improves-dementia-symptoms http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20080610/bright-light-i... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553247/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553247/

foxhill 13y ago

is your third source accessible from anywhere that doesn't require an account? i'd like to read it.

drewcrawford 13y ago
Paste the URL into Google. It seems that if your referrer is Google, no paywall for you.

srd 13y ago

Is it known if there are ways to support the cleanup process? I ask because due to allergies I have constant sinus congestions and as a result a very light sleep. On average I wake up (to the point where I'm consciously aware that I'm awake) 2 to 4 times per night, persumably due to lack of oxygen. I'm noticing memory issues; and while the process may not be reversable, I would like to halt it or at least slow it down as much as possible.

dbbolton 13y ago
My dad and I are in a similar situation to you- terrible nasal congestion constantly interfering with sleep. The quick and dirty solution is decongestants. However, vasoconstrictors (pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline, phenylepherine, etc.) often have a "rebound effect", i.e. when they wear off you find you're actually more congested than you were before you took the drug. In this sense they can be quite addictive. I try not to use any unless it's absolutely necessary, and only once every few days at that. One thing that helps a little bit is Breathe Right nasal strips. They will often open up the nasal passages enough that I no longer have to struggle to breathe through my nose. If I'm only slightly congested, I use these. I don't know if the increased air flow would be enough to keep you asleep or not, but it's probably worth a try. For the most part, I have pretty much adapted to function on a few hours' worth of sleep. I can go on a three hour nap twice a day for an indefinite length of time. I don't know if that is enough rest to fully clean up the brain, but I don't feel crappy all the time so I suppose it's good enough. It definitely works better for me than sleeping for 6 hours once a day. I typically sleep in on the weekends, but I recently saw an article claiming that isn't enough to erase slept debt accumulated during the week.
aestra 13y ago
Have you seen a doctor about this? I know they have CPAP machines which have a heated humidifier, which I presume will keep your congestion under control over the course of the night and your airways open. I'm no doctor, so go talk to yours and go see a sleep specialists to see why you are awaking in the middle of the night.
lee 13y ago
I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine nightly. My CPAP device comes with a humidifier chamber to keep the humidity of the air I breathe in high. One of the side-effects of using a CPAP machine is that sinus congestion never bothers me as long as I have the device on. It provides enough pressure that my sinus are forced to remain open when turned. So maybe look into using a CPAP machine to help you out.