Sleep-wake behavior, perceived fatigability, and cognitive reserve in older adults
Nancy Kerner1,2, Terry E Goldberg1,2,3, Hannah R Cohen2
1Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Introduction:
The effects of sleep-wake behavior on perceived fatigability and cognitive abilities when performing daily activities have not been investigated across levels of cognitive reserve (CR).
Methods:
CR Index Questionnaire (CRIq) data were collected and subjected to moderated mediation analysis.
Results:
In amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; n = 41), CR moderated sleep-related impairments (SRIs), and fatigability at low CR (CRIq < 105.8, p = 0.004) and mean CR (CRIq = 126.9, p = 0.03) but not high CR (CRIq > 145.9, p = 0.65) levels. SRI affected cognitive abilities mediated by fatigability at low CR (p < 0.001) and mean CR (p = 0.003) levels. In healthy controls (n = 13), SRI in fatigability did not alter cognitive abilities across CR levels; controls had higher leisure scores than patients with aMCI (p = 0.003, effect size = 0.93).
Discussion:
SRI can amplify impaired cognitive abilities through exacerbation of fatigability in patients with aMCI with below-mean CR. Therefore, improving sleep-wake regulation and leisure activities may protect against fatigability and cognitive decline.
Highlights:
Clinical fatigue and fatigability cannot be alleviated by rest. Clinical fatigability disrupts daily activities during preclinical Alzheimer's. High cognitive reserve mitigates sleep-wake disturbance effects. High cognitive reserve attenuates clinical fatigability effects on daily functioning. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea potentiates Alzheimer's pathology in the brain.
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