Abstract Introduction Retired night shift workers report poorer sleep quality compared to retired day workers, even after returning to a nocturnal sleep schedule, suggesting a potential “scarring” of night shift work on sleep. History of sleep deprivation and sleep at an unfavorable circadian phase may compromise sleep and homeostatic sleep regulation, potentially contributing to poor sleep quality in retired night shift workers. This study compared sleep efficiency and homeostatic sleep regulation in response to sleep deprivation (delta EEG power during NREM sleep, theta EEG power during wakefulness) between retired night shift workers and retired day workers. Methods Participants (N = 75, mean age: 68.3 +/-5.5 years, 51% females, 87% non-Hispanic White) were 35 retired night shift workers and 40 age-, sex-, and race-equated retired day workers. Participants completed a 60-hour laboratory study including one baseline night of sleep, followed by 36 hours of sleep deprivation, followed by one recovery night of sleep. Sleep efficiency and NREM delta EEG power were measured by polysomnography on both nights, and waking theta EEG power was measured every other hour during the 36-hour sleep deprivation period. We analyzed the effects of group (retired night shift workers vs. retired day workers), time (baseline vs. recovery night for sleep efficiency and delta EEG power, hour for theta EEG power), and their interaction on each outcome using linear mixed models. Results Groups did not differ in sleep efficiency averaged across nights (F=1.48, p>0.05) or from baseline to recovery nights (F=0.05, p>0.05). Delta EEG responses to sleep deprivation did not differ by group (F=0.33, p>0.05). Compared to retired day workers, retired night shift workers showed greater overall waking EEG theta power during sleep deprivation (F=13.20, p<0.001). The group by time interaction was not significant (F=0.36, p>0.05), suggesting that group differences in theta EEG power were not due to increased sleep deprivation. Conclusion Sleep efficiency and homeostatic sleep regulation appeared to be preserved in retired night shift workers. Theta EEG power findings suggested greater sleep propensity during wakefulness in retired night shift workers. Interventions to improve sleep quality in retired night shift workers may leverage intact homeostatic sleep regulation mechanisms. Support (If Any) R01AG047139, T32HL082610, T32HL07560, T32MH019986
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