09/11/2026
Sleep is an important area of ongoing Alzheimer’s research, and new findings are helping scientists better understand its relationship to brain health.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio examined sleep duration and blood levels of p-tau181, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s-related changes. In a study of 2,410 participants, longer sleep durations were associated with higher levels of p-tau181, with the strongest increases observed among those reporting more than 10 hours of sleep per night.
The findings add to research exploring the connection between sleep and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the study does not establish that long sleep causes Alzheimer’s, and further research is needed to understand the relationship.
Alzheimer’s Texas and The DKR Fund is committed to sharing research and education that help individuals, families and caregivers stay informed about Alzheimer’s disease and the ongoing work to better understand it.