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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Sleep Sci 2020; 13(02): 152-156
DOI: 10.5935/1984-0063.20190128
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Sleep and the aging brain. A multifaceted approach

Angeliki Tsapanou
,
Nikolaos Scarmeas
1   Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center - New York - New York.
,
Yaakov Stern
1   Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center - New York - New York.
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ABSTRACT

In the current review we provide a theoretical background on studies examining the association between sleep and brain function. We focus on the association between sleep and cognitive performance, cognitive changes over time and incident dementia as well. We then present some data on the link between sleep and subjective cognitive complaints, in participants without any objective clinical cognitive decline. We conclude with investigating the association between sleep and brain biomarkers, by highlighting the importance of specific genes and specific brain regions’ morphometry. The role of sleep is vital in maintaining a healthy aging brain, and multiple factors should be taken under account when investigating this association.

Keywords:

Sleep - Cognition - Dementia - Brain - Aging


Publication History

Received: 13 October 2019

Accepted: 07 November 2019

Article published online:
09 November 2023

© 2023. Brazilian Sleep Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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