INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 08 Program Schedule 02/16/2024 01:45 pm - 03:00 pm Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120) Poster Session 08: Cognition \| Cognitive Reserve Variables Final Abstract #73 Does Objectively Measured Sleep Affect Cognition in Healthy Young Adults? Malorie Watson, Fordham University, Bronx, United States Caitlin Dougher, Fordham University, Bronx, United States Theresa Lin, Fordham University, Bronx, United States Molly Zimmerman, Fordham University, Bronx, United States Category: Sleep and Sleep Disorders Keyword 1: attention Keyword 2: sleep Objective: The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends adults 18-64-years-old sleep 7-9 hours per night; however, poor sleep quality, sleep loss, and irregular sleep-wake patterns are common and are especially prevalent among young adults. Furthermore, it’s well-established that chronic and acute sleep loss and insufficient sleep (defined by both poor sleep quality and quantity) are associated with short- and long-term effects on health and are differentially associated with cognition across the lifespan (e.g., sleep-related deficits observed in processing speed and attention/working memory). However, in most prior research on sleep and cognition in young adults, sleep was measured subjectively via self-report measures which do not usually correspond with objective measures. Therefore, the present study sought to examine relationships between cognitive test performance and objectively-measured sleep. It was hypothesized that participants with average total sleep time (TST) within the NSF recommended range would have better sleep quality (wake after sleep onset; WASO) and perform better on oral processing speed and attention/working memory measures compared to individuals with lower TST. Participants and Methods: All participants were university students from the Bronx, NY (N=218, Female=68.8%, M_Age=20.5, SD=1.97). Objective sleep measurement (average WASO & TST) was obtained with an actigraphy device (Actiwatch Spectrum PRO; Philips Respironics Inc.) worn for an average of 10.75 days (SD=3.96, range=1.88-21). Oral processing speed was assessed with the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Color-Word Interference Test Condition 1 (D-KEFS-CWIT-Cnd1). Attention/working memory were assessed with CogState One Back (ONB) and Two Back (TWOB) Memory Tests. Results: Depressive symptoms, ethnicity, and gender were not significantly related to TST. Gender was related to WASO; thus, controlled for in WASO analyses. Independent samples t tests were computed to compare processing speed (D-KEFS-CWIT-Cnd1) and working memory (ONB, TWOB) performance between participants with an average TST of less than 7 hours (low sleep group [LSG]; n=67) and those with an average TST of 7-9 hours (NSF recommended range group [RRG]; n=134). The mean difference in performance on ONB was statistically significant (t(140.1)=2.21, p=.03), such that the LSG performed better (M=31.02, SD=.38) than the RRG (M=30.50, SD=2.60); though, the magnitude of the difference was small (d=.24). D-KEFS-CWIT-Cnd1 and TWOB performance differences were not significant. A univariate ANCOVA controlling for gender indicated the LSG (M=28.54, SD=9.58) had better sleep quality (WASO) compared to the RRG (M=37.31, SD=12.36) (F(1,192)=26.3, p < .001, η²=.12). Conclusions: Analyses revealed that individuals with an average of less than 7 hours of objectively-measured nightly sleep performed better on a test of attention compared to those with 7 or more hours of sleep per night. These findings may be the result of better sleep quality that was observed in the lower sleep group or reflect a known tendency for sleep-deprived individuals to overcompensate for sleepiness on simple attention tasks but not on more complex cognitive tasks. Daytime naps, which are common among college students, may also be contributing to the results. Given the need for optimal cognitive functioning in college, these findings suggest further research is necessary to fully characterize the effects of objectively measured sleep on cognition in this population.

Poster

02/16/2024
01:45 pm - 03:00 pm
Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120)

Poster Session 08: Cognition | Cognitive Reserve Variables

Final Abstract #73

Does Objectively Measured Sleep Affect Cognition in Healthy Young Adults?

Malorie Watson, Fordham University, Bronx, United States
Caitlin Dougher, Fordham University, Bronx, United States
Theresa Lin, Fordham University, Bronx, United States
Molly Zimmerman, Fordham University, Bronx, United States

Category: Sleep and Sleep Disorders

Keyword 1: attention
Keyword 2: sleep

Objective:

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends adults 18-64-years-old sleep 7-9 hours per night; however, poor sleep quality, sleep loss, and irregular sleep-wake patterns are common and are especially prevalent among young adults. Furthermore, it’s well-established that chronic and acute sleep loss and insufficient sleep (defined by both poor sleep quality and quantity) are associated with short- and long-term effects on health and are differentially associated with cognition across the lifespan (e.g., sleep-related deficits observed in processing speed and attention/working memory). However, in most prior research on sleep and cognition in young adults, sleep was measured subjectively via self-report measures which do not usually correspond with objective measures. Therefore, the present study sought to examine relationships between cognitive test performance and objectively-measured sleep. It was hypothesized that participants with average total sleep time (TST) within the NSF recommended range would have better sleep quality (wake after sleep onset; WASO) and perform better on oral processing speed and attention/working memory measures compared to individuals with lower TST.

Participants and Methods:

All participants were university students from the Bronx, NY (N=218, Female=68.8%, M_Age=20.5, SD=1.97). Objective sleep measurement (average WASO & TST) was obtained with an actigraphy device (Actiwatch Spectrum PRO; Philips Respironics Inc.) worn for an average of 10.75 days (SD=3.96, range=1.88-21). Oral processing speed was assessed with the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Color-Word Interference Test Condition 1 (D-KEFS-CWIT-Cnd1). Attention/working memory were assessed with CogState One Back (ONB) and Two Back (TWOB) Memory Tests.

Results:

Depressive symptoms, ethnicity, and gender were not significantly related to TST. Gender was related to WASO; thus, controlled for in WASO analyses. Independent samples t tests were computed to compare processing speed (D-KEFS-CWIT-Cnd1) and working memory (ONB, TWOB) performance between participants with an average TST of less than 7 hours (low sleep group [LSG]; n=67) and those with an average TST of 7-9 hours (NSF recommended range group [RRG]; n=134). The mean difference in performance on ONB was statistically significant (t(140.1)=2.21, p=.03), such that the LSG performed better (M=31.02, SD=.38) than the RRG (M=30.50, SD=2.60); though, the magnitude of the difference was small (d=.24). D-KEFS-CWIT-Cnd1 and TWOB performance differences were not significant. A univariate ANCOVA controlling for gender indicated the LSG (M=28.54, SD=9.58) had better sleep quality (WASO) compared to the RRG (M=37.31, SD=12.36) (F(1,192)=26.3, p < .001, η²=.12).

Conclusions:

Analyses revealed that individuals with an average of less than 7 hours of objectively-measured nightly sleep performed better on a test of attention compared to those with 7 or more hours of sleep per night. These findings may be the result of better sleep quality that was observed in the lower sleep group or reflect a known tendency for sleep-deprived individuals to overcompensate for sleepiness on simple attention tasks but not on more complex cognitive tasks. Daytime naps, which are common among college students, may also be contributing to the results. Given the need for optimal cognitive functioning in college, these findings suggest further research is necessary to fully characterize the effects of objectively measured sleep on cognition in this population.