The relationship between sleep and performance on tests of pattern separation and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)

Sleep disturbances are considered both a risk factor for and symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To identify sleep-dependent cognitive tests, we monitored rest and activity patterns for 7 days in younger (N=89, 18-30 years) and older (N=40, 50-100 years) adults. We then assessed the effects of 24-hour sleep deprivation in sleep-deprived (N=16, 18-40 years) and rested (N=32, 18-40 years) participants. Cognitive performance assessments included the Mnemonic Similarity Task (MST) and CANTAB. We observed a stronger, but not statistically significant relationship between sleep quantity and MST performance in the older adults compared to the younger adults, and statistically significant relationships between performance on the CANTAB DMS and sleep quality in the older adults. In Study 2, the sleep-deprived participants showed poorer MST performance and longer DMS response latencies than rested participants, but relationships were not statistically significant. Sleep-dependent cognitive tests could be used as clinical trial outcome measures for sleep-promoting treatments.