Aging, Sleep, Cognitive Process

Social evolutions (nocturnal activity, shift work) have consequently reduced average sleep duration average. In addition, aging leads to a physiological reduction of nocturnal sleep duration.

Many studies have shown that extended wakefulness impairs nocturnal performances measured with a simple reaction time test (SRTT) and that this decrement is also age-related. In deed, young subjects (20-30 years) are more affected than old subjects (50-60 years) during an extended wakefulness period.

The results obtained in confinement constant conditions, associated to a high or low sleep pressure, show that this difference observed between young and old subjects should be essentially related to a reduced circadian regulation (ex : reduced melatonin secretion) with age rather than to a reduced sleep pressure (homeostatic regulation) as previously suggested. However, studies on confinement have shown that sleep pressure (identified during the sleep period with the EEG delta band) could be reduced with aging specifically on the anterior brain regions (frontal regions).

It is well-known that executive performances (related to frontal lobes functioning) are affected by extended wakefulness, but respective effects of age, circadian system and sleep pressure in this decrement remain unknown.

The aim of this study is to determine the evolution of the executive functions during a 40-hour extended wakefulness period ("high sleep pressure protocol") or during a multiple nap protocol ("low sleep pressure protocol") according to the subjects' age, in constant experimental conditions of confinement.

It's a repeated measurements study with protocol (sleep deprivation and multiple naps) and time of day as within factors and age group (young versus older subjects) as between factor

Inclusion criteria

• excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score > 9),
• sleep complaint such as sleep apnea or insomnia (Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire, items score < 4 except questions 3, 4 and 15a for aged volunteers),
• not intermediate in terms of morningness and eveningness according to the Horne-Ostberg questionnaire for young volunteers
• absence of psychopathology evidenced during psychologist interview or on the Symptom Check List (SCL-90R score>59)
• sleep efficiency evidenced by actimetry (>85%) during 7 days
• absence of apnea/hypopnea syndrome (RDI<15)
• absence of periodic movement disorder (MPS<15)
• regular sleep schedule during 3 days before study participation
• affiliated to the french health care system

Exclusion criteria

• volunteers with sleep disorders or organic disorders affecting sleep,
• poor sleep hygiene or abnormal usual sleep patterns,
• night workers or shift-workers,
• substance abusers (caffeine, drug, or alcohol).