Bad dreams in middle age could be sign of dementia risk, study suggests

Approximately 5% of adults experience nightmares – dreams distressing enough to wake them up – at least once a week. Photograph: Radius Images/Alamy

People who experience frequent bad dreams in middle age may experience a faster rate of cognitive decline and be at higher risk of dementia as they get older, data suggests.

If confirmed, the research could eventually lead to new ways of screening for dementia and intervention to slow the rate of decline.