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Updated: May 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
Long sleep duration, cognitive performance, and the moderating role of depression: A cross-sectional analysis in the
Vanessa M Young1,2,3, Rebecca Bernal1, Andree-Ann Baril4,5,6
1Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
Introduction:
We investigated whether depression modified the associations between sleep duration and cognitive performance.
Methods:
We examined the associations between sleep duration and cognition in 1853 dementia-and-stroke-free participants (mean age 49.8 years, [range 27-85]; 42.7% male). Participants were categorized into four groups: no depressive symptoms, no antidepressants; depressive symptoms without antidepressant use; antidepressant use without depressive symptoms; and depressive symptoms and antidepressant use.
Results:
Long sleep was associated with reduced overall cognitive function (β ± standard error = -0.25 ± 0.07, p < 0.001), with strongest effects in those with depressive symptoms using (-0.74 ± 0.30, p = 0.017) and not using antidepressants (-0.60 ± 0.26, p = 0.024). Weaker but significant effects were observed in those without depressive symptoms (-0.18 ± 0.09, p = 0.044). No significant associations were observed in participants using antidepressants without depressive symptoms.
Discussion:
Associations between sleep duration and cognitive performance are strongest in individuals with depressive symptoms, regardless of antidepressant use. Future research should elucidate underlying mechanisms and temporal relationships.
Highlights:
Sleeping ≥ 9 hours/night was associated with worse cognitive performance. This association was stronger among those with depression. Long sleepers were more likely to report symptoms of depression. Sleep may be a modifiable risk for cognitive decline in people with depression.
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