J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2007 Nov;46(6):552-559.

Relationship of Sleep Parameters with Neurocognitive Function in the Elderly with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)

• Lee JH
• Kim SJ
• Hwang HK
• Yang JH
• Lee JH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in the elderly is related to cognitive dysfunction. We aimed to analyze the difference in the neurocognitive function between the elderly groups with and without EDS and examine the correlation between sleep parameters and the neurocognitive function in the elderly with EDS.
METHODS
Thirty seven subjects who visited Kangwon National University Hospital were recruited. We excluded those who had abnormalities in laboratory examination or chronic systemic diseases. For each subject, a neuropsychological battery in the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD-K) Assessment Packet was applied. Nocturnal polysomnographies were conducted in 16 subjects with EDS.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the neurocognitive function between EDS positive and EDS negative groups. In the EDS positive group, the amount of stage 1 sleep negatively correlated with scores on Boston naming test, word list memory and Stroop interference, respectively (r=-0.611, -0.583, -0.611). Also, REM sleep amount positively cor-related with scores of word list recognition (r=0.568), and limb movement index negatively correlated with scores of word list memory (r=-0.523).
CONCLUSION
The poor sleep quality was associated with impaired language, memory and executive functions. Also, increased limb movements were associated with the memory decline.

Keyword

Excessive daytime sleepiness; Neurocognitive function; Sleep parameter

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Alzheimer Disease
Executive Function
Extremities
Gangwon-do
Humans
Memory
Polysomnography
Sleep, REM