A new study conducted by scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine indicates that sleep problems in youth and young adulthood could be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. The study used mice genetically altered to develop Alzheimer’s plaques in their brains as they aged.

“Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.” This saying takes on new meaning through Kemper Art Reaches Everyone (KARE), the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum’s new program that reaches out to early-to-moderate onset Alzheimer’s patients and their care partners.

Episodes of undue daytime somnolence, staring spells, diminished awareness of surroundings and incoherent or illogical thoughts may be signs of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published on Jan. 19 in the journal Neurology.

Science researchers at the University say they are enjoying a spike in federal funding, thanks in large part to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.