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Cortical thinning explains changes in sleep slow waves during adulthood.

Jonathan Dubé1, Marjolaine Lafortune2, Christophe Bedetti3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montréal H2V 2S9, Canada, Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montréal H4J 1C5, Canada, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal H3W 1W4, Canada.

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
|May 22, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Aging reduces sleep slow waves (SWs) density and amplitude. This decline is linked to cortical thinning in brain regions responsible for SW generation and propagation, impacting cognitive function in older adults.

Keywords:
agingcortical thicknesselectroencephalographyhumanssleepslow waves

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Science
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Sleep slow waves (SWs) are crucial for brain function and change with normal aging.
  • The default mode network (DMN) supports SW generation and propagation but undergoes age-related structural and functional decline.
  • Cortical thickness (CT) is a key indicator of gray matter integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between cortical thickness and sleep slow wave modifications during adulthood.
  • To determine if age-related cortical thinning mediates changes in sleep slow wave density and amplitude.

Main Methods:

  • Polysomnography and T1 MRI were used to assess sleep and brain structure in young and older adults.
  • Cortical thickness was measured across the brain, focusing on DMN regions.
  • Statistical analyses, including mediation analyses, were performed to link CT and SW parameters.

Main Results:

  • Higher SW density correlated with greater CT in cortical regions surrounding the lateral fissure (insula, temporal, parietal, frontal).
  • Increased SW amplitude was associated with higher CT in frontal and medial prefrontal regions.
  • Cortical thinning in SW-related networks explained age-associated decreases in SW density and amplitude.

Conclusions:

  • Microstructural degradation of specific cortical regions impairs SW generation and propagation in older adults.
  • Age-related changes in cortical thickness critically contribute to altered sleep slow wave oscillations.
  • These findings highlight the link between brain structure, sleep quality, and cognitive aging.