Sleep disturbances and disorders: a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia

This chapter provides a synthesis of the literature linking sleep disturbance to dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a key at-risk stage for dementia. It firstly outlines dementia and those that are considered at-risk. The chapter then provides an overview of the potential importance of sleep for cognition and brain health and presents some epidemiological work characterising sleep disturbance in older adults, including those with MCI and dementia. A summary of key cognitive and neurobiological correlates of sleep disturbance is presented, as well as the potential mechanisms by which sleep disturbances may be linked to the pathophysiological of MCI and dementia. Finally, several promising interventions for improving sleep are discussed, as well as their potential to improve cognition and/or slow the cognitive decline leading to dementia.