Randomized trial uncovers how asymptomatic objective sleepiness affects neuropsychological performance, indicating potential areas for intervention.
Key Points
This study aims to explore the relationship between asymptomatic objective sleepiness and neuropsychological performance in individuals without excessive daytime sleepiness.
Analyzed a random sample of 1428 adults from the Penn State Cohort using 8-hour polysomnography.
Classified participants into three groups based on sleep latency: objective sleepiness (SL ≤ 7 min), control (7 < SL < 30 min), and sleep disturbance (SL ≥ 30 min).
Evaluated neuropsychological performance across various domains while controlling for confounding factors.
The objectively sleepy group performed significantly worse on visual memory tests, including increased errors (p<0.001) and distortions (p<0.001).
The sleep disturbed group showed deficits in executive attention (p<0.006) and more omission errors in visual memory (p<0.001).
No significant differences were found in processing speed or verbal fluency across the groups.