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Brain Sciences
Special Issues
Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging
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Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (3 August 2021) | Viewed by 42000

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luigi De Gennaro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Roma, Roma, Italy
Interests: sleep; local sleep; aging; homeostasis; cortico-hippocampal networks; Alzheimer's disease; sleep onset; dreaming
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maurizio Gorgoni

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: sleep; EEG; dreaming; memory; sleepiness; healthy and pathological aging; neurodevelopmental disorders; sleep disorders; neural plasticity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Healthy aging involves large sleep changes  associated with modifications in sleepiness, cognitive functioning, and cardiovascular problems. Moreover, a growing body of evidence shows that singificant sleep alterations characterize many age-related pathological conditions. The possible role of specific sleep features as biomarkers of pathological aging has been higlighted, and a bidirectional role between sleep alterations and cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases has been proposed. As our aging population is progressively growing, it is crucial to expand knowledge about the relation between sleep, normal aging, and age-related pathological conditions.

The present Special Issue is focused on the sleep patterns observable in heatlhy and pathological aging. Specifically, our aim is to attract research articles concerning the following research topics:

  1. Sleep pattern changes in healthy and pathological aging;
  2. Sleep disorders in healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases;
  3. Association of sleep features with normal and altered daily functioning in the elderly;
  4. Role of sleep hallmarks as possible biomarkers for pathological aging;
  5. Sleep deprivation and sleepiness in older people;
  6. Neurobiology of dreaming in healthy and pathological aging;
  7. Treatments of sleep in aging as a possible clinical approach to early stages of Alzheimer's Disease

We invite authors and research groups to submit original researches, review articles and commentaries on these topics for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Luigi De Gennaro
Dr. Maurizio Gorgoni
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aging
  • sleep
  • cognitive decline
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • slow waves
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • sleep spindles
  • sleepiness
  • sleep disorder
  • neuroimaging

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

5 pages, 195 KiB  
Editorial
Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging
by Maurizio Gorgoni and Luigi De Gennaro
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14020128 - 26 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1193
Abstract
Human sleep physiology is strongly affected by age [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

18 pages, 2290 KiB  
Article
The Regional EEG Pattern of the Sleep Onset Process in Older Adults
by Maurizio Gorgoni, Serena Scarpelli, Ludovica Annarumma, Aurora D’Atri, Valentina Alfonsi, Michele Ferrara and Luigi De Gennaro
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(10), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11101261 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3123
Abstract
Healthy aging is characterized by macrostructural sleep changes and alterations of regional electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep features. However, the spatiotemporal EEG pattern of the wake-sleep transition has never been described in the elderly. The present study aimed to assess the topographical and temporal features [...] Read more.
Healthy aging is characterized by macrostructural sleep changes and alterations of regional electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep features. However, the spatiotemporal EEG pattern of the wake-sleep transition has never been described in the elderly. The present study aimed to assess the topographical and temporal features of the EEG during the sleep onset (SO) in a group of 36 older participants (59–81 years). The topography of the 1 Hz bins’ EEG power and the time course of the EEG frequency bands were assessed. Moreover, we compared the delta activity and delta/beta ratio between the older participants and a group of young adults. The results point to several peculiarities in the elderly: (a) the generalized post-SO power increase in the slowest frequencies did not include the 7 Hz bin; (b) the alpha power revealed a frequency-specific pattern of post-SO modifications; (c) the sigma activity exhibited only a slight post-SO increase, and its highest bins showed a frontotemporal power decrease. Older adults showed a generalized reduction of delta power and delta/beta ratio in both pre- and post-SO intervals compared to young adults. From a clinical standpoint, the regional EEG activity may represent a target for brain stimulation techniques to reduce SO latency and sleep fragmentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)
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11 pages, 805 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Cortical Thickness and EEG Alterations during Sleep in the Alzheimer’s Disease
by Aurora D’Atri, Maurizio Gorgoni, Serena Scarpelli, Susanna Cordone, Valentina Alfonsi, Camillo Marra, Michele Ferrara, Paolo Maria Rossini and Luigi De Gennaro
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(9), 1174; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11091174 - 4 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3337
Abstract
Recent evidence showed that EEG activity alterations that occur during sleep are associated with structural, age-related, changes in healthy aging brains, and predict age-related decline in memory performance. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients show specific EEG alterations during sleep associated with cognitive decline, including [...] Read more.
Recent evidence showed that EEG activity alterations that occur during sleep are associated with structural, age-related, changes in healthy aging brains, and predict age-related decline in memory performance. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients show specific EEG alterations during sleep associated with cognitive decline, including reduced sleep spindles during NREM sleep and EEG slowing during REM sleep. We investigated the relationship between these EEG sleep alterations and brain structure changes in a study of 23 AD patients who underwent polysomnographic recording of their undisturbed sleep and 1.5T MRI scans. Cortical thickness measures were correlated with EEG power in the sigma band during NREM sleep and with delta- and beta-power during REM sleep. Thinning in the right precuneus correlated with all the EEG indexes considered in this study. Frontal–central NREM sigma power showed an inverse correlation with thinning of the left entorhinal cortex. Increased delta activity at the frontopolar and temporal regions was significantly associated with atrophy in some temporal, parietal, and frontal cortices, and with mean thickness of the right hemisphere. Our findings revealed an association between sleep EEG alterations and the changes to AD patients’ brain structures. Findings also highlight possible compensatory processes involving the sources of frontal–central sleep spindles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)
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12 pages, 772 KiB  
Article
Clock/Sleep-Dependent Learning and Memory in Male 3xTg-AD Mice at Advanced Disease Stages and Extrinsic Effects of Huprine X and the Novel Multitarget Agent AVCRI104P3
by Lydia Giménez-Llort, Mikel Santana-Santana, Míriam Ratia, Belén Pérez, Pelayo Camps, Diego Muñoz-Torrero, Albert Badia and Maria Victòria Clos
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(4), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11040426 - 26 Mar 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2714
Abstract
A new hypothesis highlights sleep-dependent learning/memory consolidation and regards the sleep-wake cycle as a modulator of β-amyloid and tau Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathologies. Sundowning behavior is a common neuropsychiatric symptom (NPS) associated with dementia. Sleep fragmentation resulting from disturbances in sleep and circadian [...] Read more.
A new hypothesis highlights sleep-dependent learning/memory consolidation and regards the sleep-wake cycle as a modulator of β-amyloid and tau Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathologies. Sundowning behavior is a common neuropsychiatric symptom (NPS) associated with dementia. Sleep fragmentation resulting from disturbances in sleep and circadian rhythms in AD may have important consequences on memory processes and exacerbate the other AD-NPS. The present work studied the effect of training time schedules on 12-month-old male 3xTg-AD mice modeling advanced disease stages. Their performance in two paradigms of the Morris water maze for spatial-reference and visual-perceptual learning and memory were found impaired at midday, after 4 h of non-active phase. In contrast, early-morning trained littermates, slowing down from their active phase, exhibited better performance and used goal-directed strategies and non-search navigation described for normal aging. The novel multitarget anticholinesterasic compound AVCRI104P3 (0.6 µmol·kg−1, 21 days i.p.) exerted stronger cognitive benefits than its in vitro equipotent dose of AChEI huprine X (0.12 μmol·kg−1, 21 days i.p.). Both compounds showed streamlined drug effectiveness, independently of the schedule. Their effects on anxiety-like behaviors were moderate. The results open a question of how time schedules modulate the capacity to respond to task demands and to assess/elucidate new drug effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)
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Review

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17 pages, 631 KiB  
Review
Neurophysiological Aspects of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD): A Narrative Review
by Michela Figorilli, Giuseppe Lanza, Patrizia Congiu, Rosamaria Lecca, Elisa Casaglia, Maria P. Mogavero, Monica Puligheddu and Raffaele Ferri
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(12), 1588; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11121588 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 7478
Abstract
REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) is the polysomnographic (PSG) hallmark of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a feature essential for the diagnosis of this condition. Several additional neurophysiological aspects of this complex disorder have also recently been investigated in depth, [...] Read more.
REM sleep without atonia (RSWA) is the polysomnographic (PSG) hallmark of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a feature essential for the diagnosis of this condition. Several additional neurophysiological aspects of this complex disorder have also recently been investigated in depth, which constitute the focus of this narrative review, together with RSWA. First, we describe the complex neural network underlying REM sleep and its muscle atonia, focusing on the disordered mechanisms leading to RSWA. RSWA is then described in terms of its polysomnographic features, and the methods (visual and automatic) currently available for its scoring and quantification are exposed and discussed. Subsequently, more recent and advanced neurophysiological features of RBD are described, such as electroencephalography during wakefulness and sleep, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. The role of the assessment of neurophysiological features in the study of RBD is then carefully discussed, highlighting their usefulness and sensitivity in detecting neurodegeneration in the early or prodromal stages of RBD, as well as their relationship with other proposed biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of this condition. Finally, a future research agenda is proposed to help clarify the many still unclear aspects of RBD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)
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19 pages, 401 KiB  
Review
Sleep in Normal Aging, Homeostatic and Circadian Regulation and Vulnerability to Sleep Deprivation
by Jacques Taillard, Claude Gronfier, Stéphanie Bioulac, Pierre Philip and Patricia Sagaspe
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(8), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081003 - 29 Jul 2021
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6837
Abstract
In the context of geriatric research, a growing body of evidence links normal age-related changes in sleep with many adverse health outcomes, especially a decline in cognition in older adults. The most important sleep alterations that continue to worsen after 60 years involve [...] Read more.
In the context of geriatric research, a growing body of evidence links normal age-related changes in sleep with many adverse health outcomes, especially a decline in cognition in older adults. The most important sleep alterations that continue to worsen after 60 years involve sleep timing, (especially early wake time, phase advance), sleep maintenance (continuity of sleep interrupted by numerous awakenings) and reduced amount of sigma activity (during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep) associated with modifications of sleep spindle characteristics (density, amplitude, frequency) and spindle–Slow Wave coupling. After 60 years, there is a very clear gender-dependent deterioration in sleep. Even if there are degradations of sleep after 60 years, daytime wake level and especially daytime sleepiness is not modified with age. On the other hand, under sleep deprivation condition, older adults show smaller cognitive impairments than younger adults, suggesting an age-related lower vulnerability to extended wakefulness. These sleep and cognitive age-related modifications would be due to a reduced homeostatic drive and consequently a reduced sleep need, an attenuation of circadian drive (reduction of sleep forbidden zone in late afternoon and wake forbidden zone in early morning), a modification of the interaction of the circadian and homeostatic processes and/or an alteration of subcortical structures involved in generation of circadian and homeostatic drive, or connections to the cerebral cortex with age. The modifications and interactions of these two processes with age are still uncertain, and still require further investigation. The understanding of the respective contribution of circadian and homeostatic processes in the regulation of neurobehavioral function with aging present a challenge for improving health, management of cognitive decline and potential early chronobiological or sleep-wake interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)
18 pages, 318 KiB  
Review
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Decline: A Review of Potential Vulnerability and Protective Factors
by Julie Legault, Cynthia Thompson, Marie-Ève Martineau-Dussault, Claire André, Andrée-Ann Baril, Guillermo Martinez Villar, Julie Carrier and Nadia Gosselin
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(6), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11060706 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 7893
Abstract
Around 40% of dementia risk is attributable to modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Recently, sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), have also been considered among these factors. However, despite several epidemiological studies investigating the link between [...] Read more.
Around 40% of dementia risk is attributable to modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Recently, sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), have also been considered among these factors. However, despite several epidemiological studies investigating the link between OSA and cognitive decline, there is still no consensus on whether OSA increases the risk of dementia or not. Part of the heterogeneity observed in previous studies might be related to some individual characteristics that modulate the association between OSA and cognitive decline. In this narrative review, we present these individual characteristics, namely, age, sex, menopause, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, depression, air pollution, Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele, physical activity, and cognitive reserve. To date, large cohort studies of OSA and cognitive decline tended to statistically control for the effects of these variables, but whether they interact with OSA to predict cognitive decline remains to be elucidated. Being able to better predict who is at risk of cognitive decline when they have OSA would improve clinical management and treatment decisions, particularly when patients present relatively mild OSA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)

Other

16 pages, 2137 KiB  
Systematic Review
Physical Therapy Exercises for Sleep Disorders in a Rehabilitation Setting for Neurological Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Marco Tramontano, Sara De Angelis, Giovanni Galeoto, Maria Carmela Cucinotta, Danilo Lisi, Riccardo Maria Botta, Mariagrazia D’ippolito, Giovanni Morone and Maria Gabriella Buzzi
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(9), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11091176 - 5 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4559
Abstract
Background: Sleep occupies one-third of human life and is essential for health and for emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being. Poor or insufficient sleep is associated with a wide range of dysfunctions that involve different body systems, such as the endocrine, metabolic, and immune [...] Read more.
Background: Sleep occupies one-third of human life and is essential for health and for emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being. Poor or insufficient sleep is associated with a wide range of dysfunctions that involve different body systems, such as the endocrine, metabolic, and immune systems, thus compromising the higher cortical functions, cognitive performance, mood, and post-physical activity recovery. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the effectiveness of physical therapy exercises on sleep disorders in patients with neurological disorders. Our systematic review identified 10 articles that investigated the effects of physical therapy on sleep disorders in patients with neurological disorders, 6 of which were included in the meta-analysis. Results suggest that physical therapy exercises are a safe and useful strategy for managing sleep disorders in neurorehabilitation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)
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17 pages, 760 KiB  
Systematic Review
Age-Related Effect of Sleepiness on Driving Performance: A Systematic-Review
by Serena Scarpelli, Valentina Alfonsi, Maurizio Gorgoni, Milena Camaioni, Anna Maria Giannini and Luigi De Gennaro
Brain Sci. 2021, 11(8), 1090; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11081090 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3303
Abstract
Background: Several studies highlighted that sleepiness affects driving abilities. In particular, road traffic injuries due to excessive daytime sleepiness are about 10–20%. Considering that aging is related to substantial sleep changes and the number of older adults with driving license is increasing, the [...] Read more.
Background: Several studies highlighted that sleepiness affects driving abilities. In particular, road traffic injuries due to excessive daytime sleepiness are about 10–20%. Considering that aging is related to substantial sleep changes and the number of older adults with driving license is increasing, the current review aims to summarize recent studies on this issue. Further, we intend to provide insights for future research. Methods: From the 717 records screened, ten articles were selected and systematically reviewed. Results: Among the selected articles, (a) five studies investigated sleepiness only by self-reported standardized measures; (b) two studies assessed sleepiness also using a behavioral task; (c) three studies obtained objective measures by electroencephalographic recordings. Conclusions: The available literature on the topic reports several limitations. Overall, many findings converge in evidencing that older drivers are less vulnerable to sleep loss and sleepiness-related driving impairments than young adults. These discrepancies in sleepiness vulnerability between age groups may be ascribed to differences in subjects’ lifestyles. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that older adults self-regulate their driving and avoid specific dangerous situations. We believe that an easy protocol to objectively evaluate the vigilance level in elderly and young adults is required, and further studies are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep in Healthy and Pathological Aging)
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