Frequent Napping Linked to 48% Higher Dementia Risk

A decade-long study of nearly 1,000 adults aged 65 and older found that people who napped most days or daily had an estimated 48% higher risk of developing dementia than those who rarely or never napped. Unintentional daytime dozing was associated with a 39% higher risk, while naps of 30 minutes or less were associated with a 40% higher risk; planned naps showed no clear association after adjustments. Researchers cautioned that the findings do not show that napping causes dementia: changes in the brain, poor nighttime sleep or other health conditions could contribute to increased daytime sleepiness, making it a possible early warning sign rather than a cause.