r/science • u/Wagamaga • Feb 03 '25

Neuroscience Scientists discover that even mild COVID-19 can alter brain proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, potentially increasing dementia risk—raising urgent public health concerns.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/260553/covid-19-linked-increase-biomarkers-abnormal-brain/
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u/stressandscreaming Feb 03 '25 edited Feb 04 '25

I feel you, I had it twice and have one of the earliest signs of Alzheimers a young 30 something can have.

Yay, fear.

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u/Hobominded Feb 04 '25

If you don't mind me asking, what sign is that? To look out for

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u/stressandscreaming Feb 04 '25

I have REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.

This means I move during REM sleep, something my body should be paralyzed and unable to do. But because of my brain not functioning properly, I don't remain still during dreams. Some symptoms are things such as acting out your dreams, kicking, punching, flailing, jumping out of bed, laughing, talking, and crying.

My poor husband has endured being in an MMA fight with me in my sleep, waking to me crying or screaming or otherwise breaking things around me. If you have it, the first sign will be someone sleeping next to you letting you know. Or like me, waking up with cuts and bruises I don't remember directly injuring myself for.

REM sleep behavior disorder is linked to Alzheimer's disease because it is often considered an early indicator of neurodegeneration in the brain, particularly in areas associated with sleep regulation, and studies have shown that people with RBD have a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, potentially due to shared underlying brain pathology involving the build-up of abnormal proteins like alpha-synuclein. The abnormal dream-acting behaviors in RBD may reflect a dysfunction in the brain regions affected by Alzheimer's disease. 

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u/NatStrawn Feb 06 '25

My 65 yo dad has REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and his doctors think it is early Alzheimer’s. But every time he takes the Alzheimer’s memory test, they tell him he has the highest score out of anyone they have ever seen. His brain scans are beautiful. He is a retired judge and works as an attorney now. We are all afraid to lose his brain to Alzheimer’s one day bc of the association with REM disorder. If you learn more about it please tell me!