Naturally occurring circadian rhythm and sleep duration are related to executive functions in early adulthood

Abstract

SUMMARYExperimental sleep deprivation studies suggest that insufficient sleep and circadian misalignment associates with poorer executive function. It is not known whether this association translates to naturally occurring sleep patterns. A total of 512 of full-term-born members of the Arvo Ylpp € o Longitudinal Study [mean age = 25.3, standard deviation (SD) = 0.65] (44.3% men) wore actigraphs to define sleep duration, its irregularity and circadian rhythm (sleep mid-point) during a 1-week period (mean 6.9 nights, SD = 1.7). Performance-based executive function was assessed with the Trail-Making Test, Conners' Continuous Performance Test and Stroop. The self-rated adult version of Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function was used to assess trait-like executive function. We found that performance-based and self-reported trait-like executive function correlated only modestly (all correlations ≤0.17). Shorter sleep duration associated with more commission errors. Later circadian rhythm associated with poorer trait-like executive function, as indicated by the Brief Metacognitive Index and the Behavior Regulation Index. Those belonging to the group with the most irregular sleep duration performed slower than others in the Trail-Making Test Part A. All associations were adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status and body mass index. In conclusion, naturally occurring insufficient sleep and later circadian rhythm showed modest associations with poorer executive function. Shorter habitual sleep duration was associated with lower scores of performance-based tests of executive function, and later circadian rhythm was associated mainly with poorer trait-like executive function characteristics. Our findings suggest additionally that sleep duration and circadian rhythm associate with different domains of executive function, and there are no additive effects between the two. IN TROD UCTI ONExecutive functions (EFs) are considered the central control systems for complex behaviour, such as attention, planning and goal-setting, inhibitory abilities and cognitive flexibility. EFs can be defined both as permanent characteristics of an individual (Friedman et al., 2016) and as fluctuating test performance affected by states such as stress (Shields et al., 2016), sleep deprivation (Rossa et al., 2014), alcohol consumption (Day et al., 2015), medication (Moeller et al., 2014) and mood (Cotrena et al., 2016).As a somewhat stable characteristic of an individual, EFs can be evaluated with self-ratings such as the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) (Roth et al.,

Patients with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder show poorer executive functions compared to good sleepers

“…Reduced EF in these patients can thus be a consequence of chronic sleep restriction, their delayed circadian rhythm [6], or both. The latter is in line with findings by Kuula et al (2018), showing that delayed sleep phase is associated with poorer EF in a non-clinical sample. The patients with DSWPD are also repeatedly required to function (at school/work) at times when their own circadian rhythm promotes sleep (early in the morning).…”

“…However, no conclusions regarding the causal relationship between DSWPD and EF can be drawn from the present study, and it is possible that there is a bidirectional relationship between EF and a delayed sleep phase, where poor EF can contribute to later bedtime, and loss of sleep can lead to poorer EF. A recent study on a non-clinical sample concluded that proneness to eveningness or later circadian rhythm was related to worse trait-like behavioural regulation characteristics, while shorter sleep duration was more related to worse immediate performance (state-like) [14]. This possible bidirectionality could be investigated by administering BRIEF before and after treatment for DSWPD.…”

Associations of sleep with gray matter volume and their implications for academic achievement, executive function and intelligence in children with overweight/obesity

“…4,11 Likewise, previous studies have found modest associations between later sleep onset, shorter total sleep time and lower sleep quality with poorer executive function (ie, cognitive flexibility, inhibition and working memory 16,17 ) in adolescents 8 and young adults. 9 Lastly, sleeping more than 8 hours was associated with higher IQ in male adolescents. 10 It is noteworthy that previous research derives timing and duration variables from self-reported sleep onset and wake times (ie, asking participants what time they go to bed and wake on average).…”

“…studies have reported that sleep behaviors, that is, those behaviors related to sleep that can be measured in free-living conditions, such as total sleep time or total time in bed, are associated with academic achievement, [4][5][6][7] executive function 8,9 and intelligence. 10 The study of the sleep behaviors and their association with GMV could provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the relationship of sleep with academic achievement, executive function and intelligence.…”

“…[12][13][14] Thus, we chose to use a whole-brain approach and further investigate the specific association with the hippocampus using a ROI approach. Based on previous research, [4][5][6][7][8][9]34 we hypothesized that sleep behaviors would be associated with GMV, and that GMV in some of these regions would be associated with academic achievement, executive function and/or IQ.…”