Sleep problems predict decline in attention over time in older adults with essential tremor

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing evidence that patients with Essential Tremor (ET) are at higher risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia than controls. ET is a quite heterogeneous disorder, including not only motor symptoms, but sleep deficits as some of its non‐motor characteristics. The aim of the current research was to investigate the extent to which sleep problems predict cognitive change over time in patients with ET.MethodTwo hundred and one patients enrolled in a longitudinal, observational study of cognitive function in ET (COGNET) were included in the current analyses. Sleep was examined used the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Five cognitive domains were extracted from an extensive neuropsychological assessment: memory, executive function, attention, language, and visuo‐spatial ability. Generalized estimated equations were used to examine the association between sleep problems at baseline and cognitive changes over four‐intervals follow‐up spanning of 4 years.ResultOur sample was mostly women (60%), with 78 mean years of age, and 16 mean education years. Habitual sleep efficiency (dividing the amount of time spent asleep divided by the total amount of time in bed) was significantly associated with attention performance longitudinally, so that poorer efficiency was associated with more rapid decline in attentional abilities over the years. No other sleep problem was associated with change in any cognitive domain.ConclusionPeople with ET have increased chance for decline in attentional abilities when having sleep problems and more specifically, less habitual sleep efficiency. Early detection of, and intervention for, difficulty with sleep efficiency may protect against aspects of cognitive decline in people with ET.