[Good Brain 2023] Professor Jeong Gi-yeong "Good Sleep Is Important for Dementia Prevention"

Amount, Quality, and Timing of Sleep Are Important
Sleep Reduces Risks of Cardiovascular Disease and Dementia

Professor Jung Ki-young of the Department of Neurology at Seoul National University Hospital emphasized that "getting good sleep" is important for dementia prevention. He explained, "Sleep is related to aging and dementia, and sleep is crucial for brain health."

On the 20th, Professor Jung highlighted the importance of healthy sleep at the '2023 Good Brain Conference' hosted by Asia Economy at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. During his lecture on "Sleep and Brain Science," he stated, "Lack of sleep can cause stroke, cognitive decline, and dementia." In the past, sleeping time was considered a period of inactivity, but since the discovery of REM sleep in 1953, various studies have been conducted on the functions and importance of sleep, according to Professor Jung.

Professor Jeong Gi-young of Seoul National University Hospital is giving a lecture on sleep and brain health at the 'Good Brain 2023 Conference' held on the 20th at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The discovery of REM sleep confirmed that the brain is not inactive but active during sleep. Since then, sleep states have been categorized into REM sleep, non-REM sleep, and wakefulness. Professor Jung explained, "Within one night, non-REM sleep, REM sleep, and wakefulness repeat 3 to 4 times in 90-minute cycles. These three stages must harmonize to achieve healthy sleep. Waking up during REM sleep, usually in the early morning, is to prepare for the day."

Professor Jung continued to explain the various functions of sleep. He said, "Fatigue cannot be recovered without sleep, and biosynthesis is activated during sleep, which also repairs the body. While sleeping, synapses create new empty spaces, enabling the acquisition and utilization of new information." He also mentioned the memory consolidation function, where memories are rehearsed and strengthened during sleep. At the same time, sleep facilitates forgetting unnecessary information.

Above all, Professor Jung stated that proper sleep is directly linked to brain health. He explained that metabolic waste and toxic substances accumulate in the brain during activity, and the "glymphatic system" operates during sleep to clean these brain metabolites. He said, "REM sleep plays an important role in regulating emotional memories by retaining facts related to memories while dreaming and washing away emotions. Therefore, it is essential to get deep sleep and maintain good sleep quality." One of the important aspects of deep sleep and dreaming is creativity. The record that Admiral Yi Sun-sin got the idea for the Turtle Ship in a dream is a representative example. Professor Jung said, "To foster creativity, good sleep and REM sleep are very important."

However, despite these important functions, Professor Jung diagnosed that the sleep health of Koreans is in a serious state. He pointed out, "44% of Koreans sleep less than 7 hours, and more than one million people receive treatment for sleep problems. Considering those who have sleep problems but do not visit hospitals, the number could be between 2 to 3 million."

Professor Jeong Gi-young of Seoul National University Hospital is giving a lecture on sleep and brain health at the 'Good Brain 2023 Conference' held on the 20th at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

So, what should be done for healthy sleep? Professor Jung emphasized the importance of quantity, quality, and timing. First, securing sufficient sleep time is crucial. He said, "When looking at the risk of cardiovascular disease related to sleep deprivation, the risk was lowest at 7 hours of sleep. Too little or too much sleep caused problems. Similarly, the risk of dementia was lowest at 7 hours of sleep and increased with insufficient or excessive sleep."

Regarding sleep quality, he explained using sleep apnea, commonly known as "snoring," as an example. He said, "Sleep apnea affects blood vessels and can cause stroke and dementia. Patients with severe sleep apnea have increased risks of cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and even mortality."

In addition to quantity and quality, regular sleep habits are also important. Professor Jung said, "Irregular sleep patterns increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in shift workers. Long-term follow-up showed that the risk of dementia increased by more than 30%." This problem is not limited to shift workers; irregular sleep habits in daily life cause the same issues. Even if sleep duration is sufficient, irregularity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Professor Jung stated, "Most sleep deprivation is due to personal choices. Sleep, which is essential for sustaining life, must be prioritized."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.