03 Jul Poor Sleep Linked To Faster Brain Aging

MedicalResearch.com: Interview with:
Dr. June Chi-Yan Lo
Research Fellow
Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory
Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
Singapore

MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. Lo: The Duke-NUS study examined the data of 66 older Chinese adults, from the
Singapore-Longitudinal Aging Brain Study. Participants underwent
structural MRI brain scans measuring brain volume and neuropsychological
assessments testing cognitive function every two years. Additionally,
their sleep duration was recorded through a questionnaire. Those who slept
fewer hours showed evidence of faster brain aging and decline in cognitive
performance.

MedicalResearch: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Dr. Lo: Not really. Past research has examined the impact of sleep duration on
cognitive functions in older adults. We added to the literature by showing
that in addition to age-related cognitive changes, brain aging is also
elevated by short sleep.

MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Lo: Our findings showed that one way to slow structural brain changes
associated with aging is to have sufficient sleep.

MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Lo: It is still not clear whether sleeping for long duration will have
negative impact on brain aging. In fact, long sleep has been associated
with higher risk for cardiovascular diseases and various forms of cancer.
Citation:
Sleep Duration and Age-Related Changes in Brain Structure and Cognitive Performance

June C. Lo, PhD; Kep Kee Loh, MSc; Hui Zheng, MEng; Sam K.Y. Sim, BSc; Michael W.L. Chee, MBBS

Journal Sleep VOLUME 37, ISSUE 07
http://dx.doi.org/10.5665/sleep.3832

Last Updated on July 3, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD