WHAT DID THE AUTHORS STUDY?
Sleep is necessary for the best physical and mental health. As we age, the amount or quality of sleep we get may change. Sleep disorders are more common in older people. In addition, sleeping problems occur more often in those with cognitive or thinking problems like dementia.
Research shows a connection between sleep disorders and cognitive problems or dementia in older adults.1 Sleep disorders are often evaluated with a test called polysomnography. Polysomnography is an overnight sleep test that checks breathing patterns, oxygen levels, pulse, and brain waves. Few studies have used these detailed measures to assess sleep. Instead, less reliable tests like surveys are often used. Dr. Haba-Rubio and coauthors2 studied both subjective data (survey) and objective data (polysomnography) to see if sleep and cognition are somehow related.
HOW WAS THE STUDY DONE?
The study was done in Lausanne, Switzerland, between 2003 and 2006. The researchers gathered information from 580 patients older than 65 years. Sleep patterns were evaluated by surveys given to patients. Polysomnograms were also used. The polysomnogram recorded a full night's sleep at home and showed possible …
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