Subjective Cognitive Decline and Nighttime Sleep Alterations, a Longitudinal Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sleep Medicine
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Sleep disorders are prevalent in older adults and linked to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia risk.
• Altered sleep patterns are observed in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
• Sleep is a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, necessitating further research into its interaction with SCD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze quantitative sleep changes in relation to subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
• To investigate specific sleep alterations in SCD using objective actigraphy data.
• To examine the longitudinal changes in sleep patterns over two years in relation to SCD.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 70 community-dwelling elderly individuals, with 35 assessed at baseline and 2-year follow-up.
• Objective sleep parameters (total sleep time, time in bed, sleep efficiency, onset latency, napping, WASO) measured via wrist actigraphy.
• Participants categorized into SCD and non-SCD groups based on SCD Questionnaire scores; MRI excluded brain disorders.

Main Results:

• Individuals with SCD exhibited significantly lower total sleep time (TST) compared to non-SCD subjects.
• Significantly reduced total time in bed (TIB) was observed in the SCD group over the 2-year study period.
• Objective sleep pattern changes, specifically TIB and TST, were evident in individuals with SCD.

Conclusions:

• Objective sleep pattern alterations, including reduced TIB and TST, are present in individuals experiencing SCD.
• Sleep alterations are common in SCD, highlighting the clinical importance of sleep assessment and intervention.
• Screening for and improving sleep in adults with SCD complaints may be crucial for cognitive health.