Zzz’s to good brain health

A good night’s rest may reduce dementia risk.

Sleep dysfunction has been linked to cognitive impairment in seniors. Researchers now found how sleep-disordered and associated intermittent hypoxia was more severe in participants with cognitive impairment. The findings were published in the journal Neurology.

“(Our) findings have major clinical implications given that sleep-disordered breathing is a common and treatable condition,” the authors write. “Indeed, studies suggest that sleep-disordered breathing treatment may partially restore cognitive impairment and slow cognitive deterioration.”

Researchers measured cognitive function of 580 participants aged 65 and older who were part of the CoLaus/PsyCoLaus study in Lausanne, Switzerland. Participants completed a sleep evaluation, HypnoLaus, and a comprehensive neuropsychological test along with providing demographic information, personal and treatment history, sleep complaints and habits.

Researchers found significantly more participants with cognitive impairment have higher sleepiness scores and a more disrupted sleep. They also had a greater risk of sleep apnea. Half of participants (291) had cognitive impairment. They had significantly more light (stage N1) and less deep (Stage N3) and rapid-eve movement sleep than those without cognitive impairment. They also had lower sleep efficiency with higher intrasleep wake than those without cognitive impairment, more sever sleep-disordered breathing with a measure of hypoxia and lower oxygen desaturation indices.

The authors note that slightly more than one-third (37.4 percent) of participants completed both cognitive testing and a sleep evaluation, so further investigation is needed before definite conclusions can be drawn about sleep and cognition.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.