Bridging Gaps in Sleep Health and Dementia: Linking Sleep Disorders and Neurocognitive Health

Abstract

There is growing evidence of a bidirectional relationship between sleep disturbances and disorders and cognitive function in normal and pathological aging. Not only do sleep disturbances and disorders predict and contribute to a decline in neurocognitive function, but neurodegenerative disorders impair sleep. Furthermore, sleep and rhythm disturbances may be some of the earliest symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders such as MCI, AD, and Parkinson's disease. However, the potential effects of improving sleep on mitigating decline in cognitive function are still unknown. While some of the classes of pharmaceutical agents may improve subjective sleep, they have variable effects on sleep oscillations and cognition. The effects of other approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and neuromodulation, on neurodegenerative processes are not yet fully understood.The goal of this session and panel is to educate participants about changes in sleep patterns and sleep oscillations that occur in aging and neurodegenerative disorders, mechanisms for associations between poor sleep and sleep disorders and cognitive decline and contribution to dementia, and the potential benefits of identifying and treating sleep disorders in older adults who may be at risk of developing dementia. In addition, the discussion will highlight the lack of standardized care pathways for diagnosing and treating sleep problems in older adults.