“Another reason could be that women with memory problems may also have anxiety or depression that could affect their sleep. While we attempted to adjust for these measures in our study, it’s possible that this effect remains.”
Yaffe says their findings are consistent with prior studies that have found an association between sleep disturbances and poor cognitive function. “But our study raises the possibility that cognitive decline may increase the risk of sleep problems, rather than vice versa.”
“This study does not mean that an individual with cognitive problems will necessarily develop sleep trouble, but that these elders are at a higher risk of sleep disorders,” said Yaffe.
Source-Eurekalert
JAY/B