New research from Washington University reveals that disrupted sleep patterns can accelerate Alzheimer’s disease by altering circadian rhythms in critical brain cells, leading to faulty immune responses and impaired amyloid clearance.
November 3, 2025
Source:
WashU Medicine
Sleep and Circadian Disruption in Alzheimer’s
New evidence suggests that disrupted sleep in Alzheimer’s disease is more than a symptom—it could be a significant driver of disease progression. Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have found that amyloid buildup interferes with circadian rhythms in brain support cells, impacting hundreds of key genes.
Key Findings
Cellular clocks disrupted: Amyloid accumulation disturbs the daily timing mechanisms inside microglia and astrocytes—the cells responsible for immune defense and maintenance in the brain.
Gene misalignment: The circadian switch of hundreds of genes is thrown off, altering brain cell functions such as amyloid clearance and inflammation control.
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Source:
Technology Networks
Cell Function and Disease Progression
Disrupted circadian rhythms in the brain mean that microglia and astrocytes can’t effectively clear amyloid plaques or manage brain inflammation at the right times (ScienceDaily). About half the genes linked to Alzheimer’s risk are controlled by these crossed-up biological clocks, marking a potential vulnerability.
Potential for New Treatments
Therapeutic Target: Correcting circadian misalignment now appears as a promising strategy for reducing Alzheimer’s impact.
Impact of Sleep Quality: Even a single night of poor sleep raises amyloid levels. Extended bad sleep increases tau, another hallmark Alzheimer’s protein, as shown in NIH-supported research.
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Source:
ScienceDaily
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