Slow Wave Sleep and EEG Delta Spectral Power are Associated with Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Kimberly H. Wood, University of Alabama Birmingham; Adeel A. Memon, University of Alabama Birmingham; Raima A. Memon, University of Alabama Birmingham; Allen Joop, University of Alabama Birmingham; Jennifer Pilkington, University of Alabama Birmingham; Corina Catiul, University of Alabama Birmingham; Adam Gerstenecker, University of Alabama Birmingham; Kristen Triebel, University of Alabama Birmingham; Gary Cutter, University of Alabama Birmingham; Marcas M. Bamman, University of Alabama Birmingham; Svjetlana Miocinovic, Emory University; Amy W. Amara, University of Alabama Birmingham
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-01-01
• Publisher: IOS Press
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 IOS Press All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/JPD-202215
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Parkinsons Disease
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 703
• End Page: 714
• Grant/Funding Information: Dr. Kimberly Wood received funding from NIH: T32 HD071866 Training Fellowship;; Dr. Amy W Amara received funding from NIH (K23NS080912).; Dr. Adeel Memon received funding from NINDS R25: NS079188 Training Fellowship;; Dr. Marcas Bamman received funding from NIH: UL1TR000165, T32HD071866, and P2CHD086851
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Excessive Daytime Sleepiness; Diagnostic criteria; sleep; Performance; Memory; Neurosciences; Impairment; slow wave sleep; Quality; cognition; Parkinson's disease; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Neurosciences & Neurology; Improvement; Dementia; Oscillations
• Research Categories: Biology, Biostatistics; Health Sciences, Pathology; Biology, Cell; Psychology, Psychobiology; Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

Background: Cognitive and sleep dysfunction are common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective: Determine the relationship between slow wave sleep (SWS) and cognitive performance in PD. Methods: Thirty-two PD participants were evaluated with polysomnography and a comprehensive level II neurocognitive battery, as defined by the Movement Disorders Society Task Force for diagnosis of PD-mild cognitive impairment. Raw scores for each test were transformed into z-scores using normative data. Z-scores were averaged to obtain domain scores, and domain scores were averaged to determine the Composite Cognitive Score (CCS), the primary outcome. Participants were grouped by percent of SWS into High SWS and Low SWS groups and compared on CCS and other outcomes using 2-sided t-tests or Mann-Whitney U. Correlations of cognitive outcomes with sleep architecture and EEG spectral power were performed. Results: Participants in the High SWS group demonstrated better global cognitive function (CCS) (p=0.01, effect size: r=0.45). In exploratory analyses, the High SWS group showed better performance in domains of executive function (effect size: Cohen’s d=1.05), language (d=0.95), and processing speed (d=1.12). Percentage of SWS was correlated with global cognition and executive function, language, and processing speed. Frontal EEG delta power during N3 was correlated with the CCS and executive function. Cognition was not correlated with subjective sleep quality. Conclusions: Increased SWS and higher delta spectral power are associated with better cognitive performance in PD. This demonstrates the significant relationship between sleep and cognitive function and suggests that interventions to improve sleep might improve cognition in individuals with PD.