Poor dream recall associates with Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers and dementia risk
Darren M. Lipnicki, Meritxell Valenti, Elizabeth Valeriano-Lorenzo, Ashleigh S. Vella, María Ascensión Zea‐Sevilla, Mario Ricciardi, Belén Frades, Minerva Martinez, Sonia Wagner, Perminder S. Sachdev, Teodoro del Ser, Pascual Sanchez‐Juan
medRxiv September 17, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2025.09.16.25335946 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDreaming relies on the default mode network (DMN), which is disrupted by early Alzheimer's pathology and the APOE ε4 genetic risk factor. In 1049 cognitively normal older adults, higher blood levels of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) 217 and carrying the APOE ε4 allele were each independently linked to a lower chance of recalling dreams, regardless of memory test performance. Not recalling dreams at the start of the study predicted faster cognitive decline and a greater likelihood of developing dementia over a 10-year follow-up. Poor dream recall in later life may serve as a simple, early indicator of neurodegeneration.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,049 |
| Population | Cognitively normal adults |
| Duration | 10-year follow-up |
| Keywords | Recall Dementia Disease Dream Biomarker |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Higher p-tau217 levels and APOE ε4 carriage were each independently associated with lower odds of dream recall, and lack of dream recall predicted faster cognitive decline and higher dementia risk over 10 years. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Dreaming is subserved by the default mode network (DMN) and can be abolished by focal lesions within key regions. DMN dysfunction is promoted by pre-clinical Alzheimer’s pathology and apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) ε4 carriage, but any effects of these on dreaming are unknown. METHODS Associations between dream recall and APOE ε4 carriage and blood phosphorylated tau (p-tau) 217 levels were determined using data for 1049 cognitively normal adults. Associations between dream recall and cognitive decline and dementia risk were also investigated. RESULTS Higher p-tau217 levels and APOE ε4 carriage were both associated with lower chances of dream recall, independently of memory test scores and other covariates. Not recalling dreams at baseline was associated with faster cognitive decline and greater likelihood of dementia over 10 years of follow up. DISCUSSION Poor dream recall in later life may be a novel and easily assessed indicator of early neurodegeneration.