Long naps may be early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, study shows

Excessive daytime napping likely to be symptom rather than cause of mental decline, say scientists

Taking long naps could be a precursor of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study that tracked the daytime sleeping habits of elderly people.

The findings could help resolve the conflicting results of the effects of napping on cognition in older adults, with some previous studies highlighting the benefits of a siesta on mood, alertness and performance on mental tasks.