The Night's Watch: Exploring How Sleep Protects Against Neurodegeneration

Sleep loss is often regarded as an early manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases given its common occurrence and link to cognitive dysfunction. However, the precise mechanisms by which sleep disturbances contribute to neurodegeneration are not fully understood, nor is it clear why some individuals are more susceptible to these effects than others. This review addresses critical unanswered questions in the field, including whether sleep disturbances precede or result from neurodegenerative diseases, the functional significance of sleep changes during the preclinical disease phase, and the potential role of sleep homeostasis as an adaptive mechanism enhancing resilience against cognitive decline and neurodegeneration.