Scientists from around the world continue to investigate two basic aspects: on the one hand, on how to intervene once cognitive decline is present in patients, and on the other hand, on an aspect that is increasingly important, and that is how identify the first signs of deterioration, since earlier identification allows the implementation of various strategies that favor a slower progression of cognitive decline.
Among all the factors studied, Katja Linda Waller, from the University of Copenhagen and her collaborators, have analyzed the importance of sleep problems, so frequent in aging. Their aim was to analyze whether sleep problems and daytime sleepiness can predict cognitive decline in older people.
His study included 189 healthy men, all born in 1953. They were divided into two groups based on the results of previous evaluations of their mental functions. Thus, approximately half of the participants were classified as people with some cognitive impairment. Various scales were used to assess the quality of sleep, the degree of sleepiness perceived during the day, and also the depressed symptoms.
Results of the study, published recently in the journal Sleep Medicine (2015), showed that approximately 40% of individuals reported poor quality of sleep. As the authors describe, 15% also experienced a sensation of excessive daytime sleepiness. Although no significant correlation was found between sleep measurements and cognitive tests at a global level, it was observed that the group of people classified as ‘with the worst cognitive performance’ had significantly worse sleep quality than the cognitively stable ones. In contrast, sleepiness was not a performance-related variable on neuropsychological tests.
According to the authors, their results suggest that the quality of sleep perceived by each person could be an early marker of cognitive decline in middle age. Of course, sleeping well has effects on our mental functions, it allows us to be more attentive and think better, which is why interventions aimed at promoting a better quality of sleep and rest at any age are necessary.
Marisa Fernández, Senior Neuropsychologist, Unobrain
