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The latest study, based on 25 years of health records, found that going to sleep each night is essential to preventing brain damage similar to that of Alzheimer's disease, as it can mimic the early symptoms of the illness. They discovered that bad sleep raises levels of the toxic proteins such as beta-amyloid and tau, which are associated with Alzheimer's, and is also a factor in shrinking brain tissue in areas that are important for memory.

Unique studies, including one at the Mayo Clinic, have found that individuals with chronic insomnia are four times more likely to develop either dementia or mild brain impairment, which amounts to a 3.5-year brain "aging." Tau levels can rise as much as 50% after just one night of sleep deprivation.

Researchers caution that sleep disturbances interfere with the brain's "housekeeping" functions, speeding up the brain's physiological aging. Although the cause/effect aspect requires further investigation, the evidence is compelling enough that getting 7 – 9 hours of good sleep each night is a priority.

A regular sleep routine, less screen time before sleep, and treatment for insomnia early into life could safeguard better long-term brain health. If these sleep problems are ongoing, see a physician.