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P1‐476: EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AND IMPULSIVITY PREDICT PERCEPTION OF COGNITIVE DECLINE SIX YEARS LATER
Author(s) -
Gustavson Daniel E.,
Franz Carol E.,
Panizzon Matthew S.,
Elman Jeremy A.,
Jak Amy J.,
Sanderson-Cimino Mark E.,
Toomey Rosemary,
Lyons Michael J.,
Kremen William S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.06.1081
Subject(s) - impulsivity , psychology , neuropsychology , executive functions , cognition , cognitive decline , executive dysfunction , neuropsychological assessment , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , medicine , dementia , disease , pathology
were free of self-reported sleep problems (“good sleepers”; n1⁄41,210). Differences in total cognition (sum of several cognitive test scores) and each individual test were examined after controlling for demographic characteristics and putative diagnostic status (normal, cognitively impaired but no dementia, dementia). We also assessed differences after controlling for several health conditions (including stroke, cancer, and depression). Results: After controlling for age, sex, education, race, ethnicity, and diagnostic status, those with sleep apnea had a lower total cognition score compared to good sleepers (B1⁄4-0.28, 95% CI1⁄4-0.51, -0.05, p1⁄40.016). This finding was driven by a significant difference in immediate word recall (B1⁄4-0.14, 95% CI1⁄4-0.25, -0.03, p1⁄40.012). After controlling for health conditions, results were no longer statistically significant. Conclusions: In this large, national sample of community-dwelling older adults, presence of sleep apnea was associated with poorer cognitive performance compared to good sleepers across the spectrum from healthy aging to dementia. Cognitive deficits were particularly seen in immediate memory, although these differences also appeared to be related to the presence of other health conditions. Findings are consistent with previous evidence showing a negative impact of sleep apnea on overall cognitive health, but more research is needed to better delineate the role of additional health conditions on these cognitive deficits.