New Delhi, March 26 -- Poor sleep has often been linked to a large share of dementia cases. About 13% of dementia cases may have roots in insomnia, a recent study on older adults in the US found.

However, another study from the Sleep and Dementia Consortium, which followed 4,600 adults for up to 19 years, found that the amount of time spent sleeping does not correctly predict who will develop dementia.

A sleep researcher, quoted by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), noted that sleep is certainly important - it affects our work, relationships, immunity, and even our appetites.

Sleeping, the researcher said, is when the brain goes about housekeeping, clearing it of the toxic proteins that are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.

However,...