A study in the April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP found that routine maintenance was associated with a reduction of insomnia and improves sleep quality in older people living in a retirement community.

The results of regression analysis indicate that the increased stability of the daily routine predicts poor sleep time, greater efficiency and improved sleep quality sleep. Stability in basic activities as bathing, dressing and eating was most strongly associated with sleep quality and stability of the instrumental activities such as shopping, using public transport and medical controls.

The authors suggest that the pace of the routine of life can be characterized by stability over time, frequency and duration of daily activities such as watching TV or reading a book. It is also possible to identify trends in the regular weekly activities such as cleaning, exercise and social commitments.

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Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation associated with this typical motor neuron disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which has a pathological effect similar to certain genetic mutations have shown in previous studies. Ultimately, researchers hope that understanding what causes motor neuron disease (MND) will lead to new ways of treatment.

MDN is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurons. The degeneration of motor neurons causes weakness and atrophy of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing.

The new research, published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and conducted by researchers from Imperial College London, provides strong additional evidence that genetics is a disease caused by the protein reconstituted in motor neurons, cells that help control muscle movement.

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