LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Clumps of protein, or plaques in the brain are generally believed to be a key indicator of Alzheimer's. The study proved that when plaques first developed in test subjects brains, the mice started having fitful sleep.

Alzheimer's Research U.K. argued that if the link was proven, it could become a useful tool for physicians.

Alzheimer's patients usually don't display memory or clarity of thought issues until the very late stages in the condition. Upon diagnosis, parts of the brain are already destroyed, meaning treatment will be very difficult or impossible.

"If sleep abnormalities begin this early in the course of human Alzheimer's disease, those changes could provide us with an easily detectable sign of [the disease]," Professor David Holtzman says.

One large area of research is in plaques of beta amyloid which form on the brain.

Beta amyloid protein naturally rises and falls over a 24- hour period in both mice and people. However, the protein forms permanent plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

Experiments at Washington University showed that nocturnal mice slept for 40 minutes during every hour of daylight. With the introduction of the brain plaques, however, the lab mice began to sleep for only 30 minutes.

"If these sleep problems exist, we don't yet know exactly what form they take, reduced sleep overall or trouble staying asleep or something else entirely," Holtzman added.

It must be stressed that findings in mice do not always apply to people as there are many reasons for disrupted sleep.

Dr. Marie Janson, from the charity Alzheimer's Research U.K., called for more studies in people to see if there was a link between sleeping patterns and Alzheimer's.

"There has already been research linking changes in sleep patterns to a decline in thinking skills, but these results suggest that disrupted sleep may also be a warning sign of Alzheimer's.

"If research confirms specific sleep changes as a possible early marker of Alzheimer's, it could prove a useful strategy for doctors to identify patients at risk of the disease."

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