Chronic insomnia is linked to accelerated cognitive decline and a 40% increase in the risk of cognitive impairment, based on a longitudinal study involving 2,750 participants aged 50 and older from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Led by Dr. Diego Z. Carvalho, the study highlights that patients with chronic insomnia exhibited greater declines in cognitive performance and a higher likelihood of progressing to mild cognitive impairment compared to those without insomnia. The association was particularly pronounced in those with reduced sleep duration, showing signs akin to being approximately four years older. This research was funded by multiple NIH grants and adds to the growing evidence that insomnia can elevate the risk of dementia.