Here’s a link to the paper [1].
I work in the neurotech/sleeptech space, and Alzheimer’s is one of the endpoints we’re working toward.
On a first read, it seems the authors frame everything through a circadian lens. Their view is that circadian genes regulate glial function, and that when those rhythms are disrupted, clearance breaks down, inflammation increases, and amyloid accumulates, contributing to Alzheimer’s.
There’s another perspective in sleep science that looks at restorative function. The physiological work of sleep like slow-wave activity and glymphatic flow which may be the driver. From that view, amyloid build-up impairs glymphatic clearance, creating a downward spiral of poorer clearance and more accumulation.
Circadian timing is certainly an important modulator, but it’s not the whole story. Without EEG or even basic sleep-wake data, it’s hard to know whether the changes in circadian” gene expression reported here reflect intrinsic clock disruption or simply reduced slow-wave restorative function in these mice.
I've linked to two research papers[2],[3] in AD which are working with the same principles of our work at https://affectablesleep.com
[1] https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-025-02067-1 [2] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2024.07.002 [3] https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afad228
Just curious… I’ve been told that by getting only 2-4 hours a night increases the chance of alzheimers, but is the opposite true too - ie sleeping > 12 hours a night is not good for you too (besides PE/DVT)
Oversleeping is often a sign rather than a cause of other health conditions, so get medical evaluation. (1)
Increase in likelihood of stroke and coronary events are the main possible issues with long sleep.
You wouldn't measure your diet based on how much time you spend chewing. So why do we think time is an appropriate measure of sleep?
Sleep takes time, but time does not define the restorative function of sleep.
You've probably had days where you've slept a "full" 8 hours, but can still barely drag yourself through the day. Have you also had days where after just a few hours you feel great and can take on the world?
How can we all have had both of these experiences, yet we still obsess over sleep time.
Sleep is about Restorative Function, the neurological processes that occur during sleep.
Yes, you have been told that you need to get X amount of sleep or you will get Alzheimer's. You were also told that you needed to eat fat free foods in order to lose weight.
Our understanding of sleep and the brain is about where our understanding of diet and exercise was in the 70s. We knew it was important, but we had no idea what we were talking about.
I'm not recommending people sleep less than what they need. But you need to understand what YOUR needs are. A blanket "everyone needs 8 hours" is doing harm to people who require more, while leaving people who need less questioning what is wrong with them. I regularly answer questions like this on reddit, "why can't I get 8 hours sleep?
So our start-up isn't focused on sleep time. We don't alter sleep time, we increase the restoratative function of sleep, in the time you get.
Is restorative function directly measurable?
That’s an awesome answer. Thanks!