Differential effects of sleep on brain structure and metabolism at the preclinical stages of AD

• INTRODUCTIONPoor sleep quality is associated with cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We analyzed the associations between self-reported sleep quality and brain structure and function in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals. METHODSCU adults (N = 339) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. A subset (N = 295) performed [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans. Voxel-wise associations with gray matter volumes (GMv) and cerebral glucose metabolism (CMRGlu) were performed including interactions with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers status. RESULTSPoorer sleep quality was associated with lower GMv and CMRGlu in the orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices independently of AD pathology. Self-reported sleep quality interacted with altered core AD CSF biomarkers in brain areas known to be affected in preclinical AD stages. DISCUSSIONPoor sleep quality may impact brain structure and function independently from AD pathology. Alternatively, AD-related neurodegeneration in areas involved in sleep-wake regulation may induce or worsen sleep disturbances.Poor sleep impacts brain structure and function independent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.Poor sleep exacerbates brain changes observed in preclinical AD.Sleep is an appealing therapeutic strategy for preventing AD. Highlights

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers

fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission

tomography

preclinical Alzheimer's disease

sleep

structural magnetic resonance imaging

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)