Exploring the bi-directional relationship between sleep and beta-amyloid

Purpose of reviewSuboptimal sleep has been reported as both a comorbidity and risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease. Previous research suggests that beta-amyloid (A) may be central to this association, with reports indicating a bi-directional relationship between sleep and A. Here, we review recent animal and human studies investigating the relationship between sleep and measures of A, and explore the potential mechanisms underlying this association.Recent findingsTwo recent animal studies have provided further support for a bi-directional relationship between sleep and A. In addition, five recent human studies support the notion that higher brain A is linked to poor sleep in cognitively healthy individuals. One of the recent human studies utilized polysomnography to link brain A to a disruption in slow wave activity during sleep, which in turn was associated with decreased hippocampal-dependent memory.SummaryRecent findings indicate that poor sleep is a risk factor for brain A deposition, and A deposition contributes to sleep disruption. Through the conduct of more mechanistic studies, and both longitudinal and intervention human studies, we can further elucidate the clearly complex nature of the relationship between sleep and A.