Impact of sleep disturbances and sleep medications on cognitive function in the elderly

The aim of this project was to see if sleep problems and sleep medications could have a long-term impact on cognition for older people.

The study looked at data from both Australian and American populations. In both groups, people who used sleep medications for sleep problems did not appear to have a decrease in cognition. Additional data from the American study did show a correlation between cognitive performance and objective sleep quality. The findings suggests that people with objectively poor sleep have worse cognition, although people’s report of sleep problems is unrelated to cognitive performance.

Yu Sun Bin, University of Sydney

Age Matters investment: $15,525

Final report (206KB)