In 2024, healthcare costs for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the United States were projected to reach $360 billion. Based on US Census data, nearly 7 million Americans aged 65 and older were living with ADRD in 2024. However, lower socioeconomic status (SES) populations and Black and African American adults are disproportionately affected by ADRD, facing higher prevalence, limited healthcare access, delayed diagnoses, and poorer outcomes due to socioeconomic disadvantages. Emerging evidence suggests that poor sleep may be both a predisposing factor for the development of ADRD pathology and neurodegeneration or a common clinical symptom of ADRD due to the atrophy-related disruption of brain regions key to sleep wake signaling. Little is known about change in sleep duration over time and ADRD risk. This study calculated 5-year change in sleep duration in a large community-based cohort of predominately lower-income adults. It was found that when compared to maintaining 7-9 hours of sleep, older adults with suboptimal sleep categories were consistently at a greater risk of ADRD.
Link: Alzheimer’s & Dementia (08/2025)
