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Some people’s memory and brain are more affected by lack of sleep at night, while some people are less affected by it. Why does this happen? Scientists have found the answer to this question. According to a new research, a particular gene involved in the brain’s overnight cleaning system determines how much poor sleep will increase the risk of serious diseases like Alzheimer’s.

complete brain cleaning system

In this study from the Center for Precision Health of Edith Cowan University (ECU), a gene named Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) was examined. This gene controls the movement of water in the brain, which helps run our brain’s natural waste removal system. This cleansing process is most active at night, especially during sleep, and works to remove harmful proteins linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Different effects according to genes

Researchers found that in people who had certain variants of the AQP4 gene, the amount of gray matter, the part of the brain responsible for thinking, memory and decision-making, started decreasing rapidly when they got less sleep. Researcher Dr. Ayesha Milligan Armstrong said, it does not just depend on which genes you have, but what matters is how those genes keep pace with your lifestyle. A single gene can either save or harm you, depending on your sleep habits. This is important because sleep is one of the few things we can actually change.

Treatment will be different for everyone

Scientists analyzed 13 common AQP4 gene variants and also looked at people’s sleep habits, brain scans and results of mental tests. They found that in some people, fewer hours of sleep was directly linked to brain shrinkage, while in others, taking longer to sleep led to changes in brain structure. Dr. Tenniel Porter said, it is clear that to prevent Alzheimer’s, instead of using the same method for everyone, there will be a need to adopt different strategies for each person.

What do scientists want to do next?

The researchers said they are not in a position to recommend genetic testing at this time, but they want clinical trials that incorporate genetic information to test whether improving sleep habits can reduce this inherited weakness. Professor Simon Laws, Director of CPH, said: “Identifying who is most vulnerable and who will benefit most from lifestyle changes – this is what precision healthcare requires, rather than treating every Alzheimer’s risk person the same way.