MADISON, WI – According to scientists at the University of Wisconsin, poor sleep quality may well be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. As reported in WebMD, the study found that brain scans of a group of older people with no mental health problems who reported trouble sleeping were more likely to have a build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain—a protein that is found in high concentrations in Alzheimer’s patients.

Do people sleep badly and feel less rested because they are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, or does a lack of sleep contribute to development of the disease? Researchers say more study is necessary. In a statement, lead researcher Ruth Benca says: “We still need to determine whether sleep disturbance promotes amyloid deposition in the brain, or if a neurodegenerative process produces disordered sleep.”

Commenting on the findings in an emailed statement to WebMD, Dr Clare Walton, research manager at the Alzheimer’s Society says: “This study adds to an existing body of research suggesting that poor quality sleep is associated with the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. However, while those who reported less restful sleep in this study were more likely to have amyloid in certain regions of their brain, we do not know whether this would be enough to cause cognitive decline or dementia. Some elderly people have amyloid plaques in their brains but never go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease, so it is far too early to say whether the amount of sleep you regularly get is important in the development of dementia and those who have a bad night’s sleep should not worry.”

Meanwhile, several sleep-related manufacturers have signed on for Medtrade Spring, scheduled for March 30-April 1, 2015, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Manufacturers already signed up include:

Batter Power Solutions
BMC Medical
DeVilbiss Healthcare
Drive Medical
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Human Design Medical
Inventory Solutions Inc
Nonin Medical Inc
Philips Respironics Inc
RemZzzs
ResMed
Roscoe Medical
Sunset Healthcare Solutions
Virtuox

Early registration (with its considerable savings) is currently open for Medtrade Spring. Click Here to Register. If providers have any questions throughout the registration process, they are encouraged to call: (877) 914-4677 (toll free) or (240) 439-2984 (International residents) between the hours of 9:00 am – 6:00 pm eastern standard time, or email: [email protected].

For more information about the show, visit www.medtradespring.com