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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Nocturnal sleep duration and cognitive impairment in a population-based study of older adults
Adrian Loerbroks1, Desiree Debling, Manfred Amelang
1Institute of Psychology, Heidelberg University, Germany. adrian.loerbroks@medma.uni-heidelberg.de
Objective:
We aimed to investigate the association between nocturnal sleep duration, changes in nocturnal sleep duration and cognitive impairment in older adults.
Methods:
4010 participants of a population-based cohort study provided information on nocturnal sleep duration at baseline (1991-1995) and at follow-up (2002/2003). 792 follow-up participants aged 70+ by 2006 participated in telephone-based cognitive assessments. Several cognitive tests were used including the telephone interview for cognitive status (TICS). Cognitive impairment was defined as <31 points on the TICS (13.0%) and as below this percentile on the other tests. Based on individual tests, a verbal memory score and a total score were constructed. Multivariable prevalence ratios (PRs) of cognitive impairment and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were computed using Poisson regression. Analyses were restricted to those free of depression in 2002/2003 (n = 695).
Results:
Sleeping
Conclusions:
Increases in sleep duration are associated with cognitive impairment. A biological explanation for this association is currently lacking. Increases in sleep duration could be a marker of cognitive deficits.
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