Habit of napping linked to dementia

People who often take a nap during the day are more at risk of developing dementia, scientists believe. Those who like a daytime snooze tended to have more tau proteins that form tangles in the brain, causing dementia. And a lack of deep sleep fuels rogue proteins in the brain that destroy neurons, say scientists.

A study of more than 100 older people found those not getting enough “quality” shut-eye also had more tau, leading to memory loss and confusion. It is deep, restorative slow wave sleep that is essential.