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Circadian Variations in Cognitive Performance Among Patients With Narcolepsy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A
Yihong Cheng1,2, Ruichen Fang1,2, Leqin Fang1,2
1Department of Psychiatry, Sleep Medicine Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 510515 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Alpha Psychiatry
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Narcolepsy patients exhibit significant daily fluctuations in cognitive functions like attention and memory. These circadian variations in cognitive performance highlight the disease
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Medicine
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cognitive deficits.
- Limited research exists on the circadian variability of cognitive impairment in narcolepsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate circadian cognitive performance in narcolepsy patients.
- To compare cognitive performance patterns between narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea with EDS (OSA-with-EDS) patients.
Main Methods:
- 62 participants (29 narcolepsy, 33 OSA-with-EDS) underwent assessments.
- Methods included questionnaires, polysomnography (PSG), and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT).
- Cognitive tasks (PVT, Stroop, 2-back) were administered at multiple time points to assess vigilant attention, inhibitory control, and working memory.
Main Results:
- Narcolepsy patients demonstrated significant circadian variations in vigilant attention, inhibitory control, and working memory.
- Vigilant attention peaked at 20:00, declined in the morning, and improved in the afternoon.
- Inhibitory control and working memory showed distinct daily patterns, with poorest performance at 20:00.
Conclusions:
- Circadian rhythms significantly impact cognitive functions in narcolepsy patients.
- Disease-specific factors, beyond EDS, likely contribute to narcolepsy-related cognitive impairments.
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