Abstract
Changes in sleep and cognition occur with advancing age. While both may occur independently of each other, it is possible that alterations in sleep parameters may increase the risk of age-related cognitive changes. This review aimed to understand the relationship between sleep parameters (sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, sleep duration, general sleep complaints) and cognition in community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older without sleep disorders. Systematic, computer-aided searches were conducted using multiple sleep and cognition-related search terms in PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. Twenty-nine manuscripts met the inclusion criteria. Results suggest an inconsistent relationship between sleep parameters and cognition in older adults and modifiers such as depressive symptoms, undiagnosed sleep apnea and other medical conditions may influence their association. Measures of sleep and cognition were heterogeneous. Future studies should aim to further clarify the association between sleep parameters and cognitive domains by simultaneously using both objective and subjective measures of sleep parameters. Identifying which sleep parameters to target may lead to the development of novel targets for interventions and reduce the risk of cognitive changes with aging.
Highlights
Alterations in sleep and cognition are associated with advancing age [1,2,3]
The results suggest a greater link between sleep latency and global cognition than sleep latency and the particular domains of cognition
Primary studies using valid and reliable measures for all sleep and cognitive variables are clearly needed; it would be very useful if similar measures were used across studies
Summary
Alterations in sleep and cognition are associated with advancing age [1,2,3]. 50% of older adults report that they experience sleep problems [4]. Older adults report subjective reductions in total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE) as well as increases in sleep latency (SL). Wake after sleep onset (WASO) [4]. Changes in sleep parameters add complexity to age-related cognitive changes, as sleep is necessary for healthy brain and bodily function and repair [5,6]. Sleep disturbances may contribute to inadequate central nervous system restoration [7] with the potential to impair cognitive function. There is extensive literature on the role of sleep in memory consolidation [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
