0355 Neurobiological Correlates of Sleepiness in Middle Aged and Older Adults: A FDG-PET Study

Abstract

Introduction Sleepiness has been associated with functional and cognitive decline, and may present with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and/or increased sleep duration. We investigated whether sleepiness and changes in sleep patterns are associated with FDG-PET levels in wake-promoting regions. Methods From the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging cohort, we identified 373 cognitively-unimpaired middle-aged and older adults (mean +/- s.d. 66.1 +/- 13.2 yo) who underwent FDG-PET. EDS was defined as ESS score >=10. Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping more, less, or no change) were assessed using question #16 of the Beck Depression Inventory-2. We used probabilistic maps to create regions of interest (ROIs): the locus coeruleus (LC), posterior lateral hypothalamus (PLH), and the basal forebrain divided in 1) medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MS/DB) and 2) nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM). FDG-PET levels were referenced to the pons (SUVR). In this cross-sectional analysis, we fit linear models to assess the association between EDS and changes in sleeping patterns with FDG SUVR in in each ROI, while controlling for age, sex, education, BMI, witnessed apneas, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results 10.5% had EDS, 15% reported sleeping more and 21% reported sleeping less than usual. 30.7% of participants with EDS reported sleeping more, 25.6% less, and 43.5% the same. EDS was associated with an elevation in FDG-PET SUVR in the MS/DB region (.035 [95% CI .008; .063], p=.012), while sleeping more was associated with a decrease in FDG-PET SUVR in the same region (-.027 [95%CI -.052; -.002], p=.036). Sleeping less was associated with an increase in FDG-PET SUVR in the PLH (.021 [95% CI .005; .03], p=.019). No associations were found in other ROIs. Conclusion Our results suggest that sleepiness and changes in sleep patterns in cognitively-unimpaired middle-aged and older adults were associated with measurable metabolic changes in areas of the brain involved in sleep and wakefulness. Further research should clarify whether these findings could represent different phenotypes of sleepiness with potential diagnostic and prognostic implications. Support NIA/NIH