Among cognitively normal older adults, higher blood levels of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) 217 and carrying the APOE ε4 gene variant are each linked to a lower likelihood of recalling dreams, regardless of memory test performance. Not recalling dreams at the start of the study is associated with faster cognitive decline and a greater risk of developing dementia over the next ten years. Poor dream recall in later life may serve as an early, easily assessed marker of neurodegeneration.
Among cognitively normal older adults, not remembering dreams is linked to higher blood levels of p-tau217, carrying the APOE ε4 gene variant, and faster cognitive decline over 10 years. In a study of 1,049 people (average age 74.7), 31% did not recall dreams. Those with elevated p-tau217 were about half as likely to remember dreams, and APOE ε4 carriers had 39% lower odds of dream recall. Non-recallers showed a steeper annual decline in cognitive composite scores compared to recallers. Dream recall status was not tied to baseline cognitive performance. The findings suggest that absent dream recall in later life may signal early neurodegeneration in the default mode network, potentially preceding dementia.