Lack of sleep 'causes memory loss in the elderly'

Lack of sleep could be one of the main causes of memory loss in the elderly, new research has discovered.

A study looking at cognitive functioning was conducted on Afro-Americans by a psychology Ph.D. student Alyssa Gamaldo at North Carolina State University, Thaindian Times reports.

Elderly people in the study who had trouble sleeping did not do well in the memory tests they participated in, which lead to the conclusion that sleep and cognitive functioning are connected.

Ms Gamaldo said: "If we can better understand how sleep quantity, as well as quality, influences general cognitive functioning, perhaps we could better maintain memory throughout life including later in life."

Cognitive functioning includes the brain's ability to learn, organise, plans and remember information as well as maintaining focus.

Last month a study conducted in San Francisco found that elderly women who slept less than five hours a night were more likely to fall or have accidents.

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