Does good sleep insulate the brain against Alzheimer's? | Erin Gibson

Mar 6, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Erin Gibson, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford and a researcher on myelin's impact on brain health, tackles the pivotal role of sleep in cognitive function and Alzheimer's risk. She reveals how age-related changes in sleep patterns, like increased napping, could serve as early indicators of neurodegenerative diseases. Gibson's research also uncovers myelin's potential as a missing link in understanding brain insulation and health, emphasizing the need to view our nightly rest as vital for long-term cognitive resilience.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Napping and Alzheimer's

Disruptions to 24-hour circadian sleep patterns, like increased napping in older adults, might be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's.
This raises the question of whether sleep changes contribute to brain degeneration or are early indicators of underlying brain disorders.

INSIGHT

Napping and Sleep Quality

Frequent napping can negatively impact nighttime sleep quality.
Two factors drive sleep: the circadian rhythm and the homeostatic need for sleep, and napping can disrupt their alignment.

INSIGHT

Myelin and Neurodegeneration

Erin Gibson's research focuses on glial cells, specifically those that produce myelin, the brain's white matter insulation.
Her work explores the link between myelin, circadian biology, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

We're kicking off our new season with a deep dive into one of neuroscience's most fascinating mysteries: sleep. This unconscious third of our lives isn't just about rest – it's absolutely critical for brain health, memory consolidation, and overall well-being. But here's where it gets intriguing: recent research suggests that increased napping as we age might be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease.

To unpack this complex relationship, we're thrilled to welcome back Erin Gibson, assistant professor of psychiatry at Stanford School of Medicine and Wu Tsai Neuro affiliate.

We'll explore whether age-related sleep changes are potential contributors to brain degeneration or valuable early indicators of otherwise invisible brain disorders, possibly opening doors for early intervention.

We'll also learn about Gibson's research, supported by the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience at Wu Tsai Neuro, which investigates how myelin—the insulation of our nerve cells—could be a key missing link in understanding the relationship between sleep and brain health.

Join us for an enlightening discussion that might just change how you think about your nightly slumber and its profound impact on long-term cognitive function.

Mentioned on the Show

Related Episodes

Get in touch
We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu if you'd be willing to help out with some listener research, and we'll be in touch with some follow-up questions.

Episode Credits

This episode was produced by Michael Osborne at 14th Street Studios, with production assistance by Morgan Honaker and research assistance by G Kumar. Our logo is by Aimee Garza. The show is hosted by Nicholas Weiler at Stanford's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and supported in part by the

Send us a text!

Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience.

Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.