New clues about the link between poor sleep and Alzheimer's

Researchers may have pinpointed the reason why poor sleep has been linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.

The new study found that just one night of sleep disruption led to an increase in a protein called amyloid beta, while a week of sleep disturbance led to increased levels of a protein called tau. Both proteins are connected with Alzheimer's disease.

"We showed that poor sleep is associated with higher levels of two Alzheimer's-associated proteins," said senior author Dr. David Holtzman. He is a professor and head of the department of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

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Article written by ROBERT PREIDT for CBS News

(ISTOCKPHOTO/CBS News)