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Disturbances of Sleep Among Older People and Its Influence on Cognitive

Disturbances of Sleep Among Older People and Its Influence on Cognitive

Researchers interested in the causes of premature
cognitive impairment and dementia emphasize the
importance of risk factors predisposing to these clinical
conditions. Some of these researchers attach greater
importance to the somatic risk factors. Other
researchers attribute a greater role to lifestyle, stressful
events and acquired competencies counteracting
negative influences.Deckers et al. on the basis of their
study enumerate the following as the most important
risk factors for dementia: depression, hypertension,
diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, physical inactivity,
and smoking .Kremen et al. are convinced that the early
emergence of cognitive impairments results rather from
the quality of mother-infant interactions, adverse events
in childhood, long cumulative exposure to stress,
ineffective coping strategies, sustained negative
emotions, unhappiness, rumination, and many social
factors (eg., social ties, network size, integration,
support, and conflicts) .The study found a higher level
of conjugal happiness among women with calmer sleep.
It is difficult to say whether happy people sleep better.
Better sleep makes people feel happier. Insomnia
doubles the chance of developing depression.According
to Kremen et al. neuroticism, negative affectivity,
depression or emotional instability in old age are a
good indicator of the cumulative level of psychological
stress experienced during the life span. So, according to
them-the stress-related variables are important
predictors of cognitive aging.Sleep is indispensable to a
correct course of psychological processes. Even a
single sleepless night may decrease mental and physical
fitness. Sleep is a functional status of the central
nervous system appearing regularly in circadian
rhythm, during which consciousness and activity are
inhibited. Physiological sleep is characterized by full
reversibility under the influence of external factors
(contrary to a coma) Sleep is necessary for maintenance
of homeostasis of the whole body .It has a significant
influence on the nervous, immune, endocrine, and
cardiovascular systems . It plays a vital role in the
proper functioning of the body, enabling recovery,
improvement in concentration and memorization
abilities, optimization of responses to stress and
enhancement of immune system. Moreover, the anabolic
hormones secreted during sleep stimulate restoration of
tissues. Sleeplessness in younger individuals results in
feeling unwell or tired, decreased motivation,
concentration and memorization as well as reduction in
productivity and increased risk of an accident . Sleep
disorders are common in the whole of society. Some
groups are more vulnerable. These are the elderly,
women and patients with general, mental and
neurological conditions.All over the world, the
proportion of elderly people is rapidly increasing.
Geriatrics and other medical staff are more and more
often having to cope with the treatment of conditions that
increase with age. An example of such a condition is
sleep apnea. In older patients, sleep fragmentation is
intensified (intermittent sleep, multiple or partial wake).
The share of stages 3 and 4 is decreasing . These changes
may be relat.Sleep disorders are common in the general
population. People suffering from a variety of general,
neurological, and mental disorders are in high risk group.
Insomnia, which is the most often form of sleep disorder,
can be the onset of depression. Symptoms accompanying
various neurological disorders are often a consequence of
underlying sleep disorders. Examining the correlation
between sleep disorders and the reduction of cognitive
abilities among older people.We gathered data from 56
respondents from the University of the Third Age, aged
between 52 and 81. We also performed certain objective
measurements, using Montreal Cognitive Assessment
(MOCA), a test of working memory system and the
measurements of “visuomotor” coordination.Correlation
has been found between the results from the proposed
sleep quality scale and the outcome of MOCA as well as
other measurements.The link between sleep disorders
and cognitive abilities in older individuals is most
probably significant.
1. Sleep disorders are common in the general population,
but some groups are more vulnerable to it. These people
include the elderly.
2. The study confirms the connection between sleep
quality and cognitive abilities.
3. Sleep disorders are common in patients with dementia.
They can cause excessive drowsiness, irritability,
deterioration of cognitive ability, depression, and fatigue.
Extended Abstracts Vol 6, Iss1
This work is partly presented at International Conference on Pediatric Neurology November 28-30,2016
Valencia,Spain Volume 6• Issue 1
It can be assumed that in sleep disorders there is a socalled
“vicious circle” where sleep disorders can be
predictors of progressive dementia.
4. Searching for risk factors for cognitive disorders is
the direction of research that we continue. This may
help to identify these diseases more quickly and prevent
them
Keywords: Sleep disorders; Older; Cognitive; Quality