A groundbreaking study has been launched by the Scripps Research Digital Trials Center in California, focusing on the critical relationship between sleep patterns and cognitive health in women. The Research Framework for Sleep Health – Neurocognitive Outcomes in Women Study, known as REFRESH-NOW, will investigate how sleep duration and irregularity affect neurocognition in women aged 55 and older. This research is notably significant, considering that Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects women, with twice as many women diagnosed compared to men. the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects a significant rise in cases among minority populations in the coming years, underscoring the urgency of this research.

The REFRESH-NOW study, spearheaded by Stuti Jaiswal, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist specializing in sleep research, will employ cutting-edge technology to gather extensive data over a three-year period. Participants will utilize wrist-worn activity trackers and smartwatches to provide longitudinal sleep data.This innovative approach allows researchers to monitor sleep patterns in a real-world setting, offering a more accurate representation of an individual’s typical sleep behavior. The study aims to move beyond traditional understandings of sleep disturbances as merely a consequence of dementia, exploring the potential causal link between sleep disorders and the advancement of the disease.

Dr. Jaiswal emphasizes the advantages of using wearable technology in sleep research. Wearables have the potential to revolutionize sleep research, she said. She contrasted this approach with traditional polysomnography, frequently enough considered the “gold standard” for sleep measurement, noting its limitations. While polysomnography is generally regarded as the gold standard for gathering sleep measurements, it only provides a snapshot of a person’s sleep characteristics based on data collected during a night spent in a sleep laboratory, Jaiswal explained.

She further elaborated on the drawbacks of lab-based sleep studies: That tool requires a person be hooked up to many different wires and sensors in a sleep laboratory, which is not a person’s natural sleep surroundings. in contrast, activity trackers offer a more convenient and naturalistic approach. On the other hand, commercially available activity trackers collect data passively making it very simple for people to participate in sleep research from the comfort of their own home and to share real-world data with researchers over months or even years, Jaiswal stated.

Beyond the data collected from activity trackers, the study will also gather information through surveys administered via a smartphone application. These surveys will provide insights into participants’ sleep habits, assess their risk for sleep apnea, and evaluate their decision-making abilities. Moreover, participants will be invited to complete at-home cognitive assessments at various intervals. These assessments are designed to provide the study team with a deeper understanding of each participant’s cognitive state and function over time.

By combining objective sleep data from wearable devices with subjective information from surveys and cognitive assessments, the REFRESH-NOW study aims to paint a comprehensive picture of the relationship between sleep and cognitive health in women. The ultimate goal is to identify sleep-related risk factors for cognitive decline, paving the way for the development of targeted interventions to improve cognitive outcomes in women.

Unraveling the Sleep-Cognition connection in Women: An Exclusive Interview

dr. Evelyn Reed, a leading neuroscientist specializing in sleep and cognitive health, discusses the groundbreaking REFRESH-NOW study investigating the intricate relationship between sleep and cognition in women.

Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease disproportionately affects women, with twice the number of women diagnosed compared to men? This highlights a crucial area of research that’s often overlooked.

Interviewer: Dr. Reed, the REFRESH-NOW study uses wearable technology to track sleep patterns over three years. Why is this approach so meaningful compared to conventional methods like polysomnography?

Dr. Reed: That’s a fantastic question. Traditional polysomnography, while considered the gold standard for sleep measurement, has significant limitations. It requires individuals to spend a night in a sleep lab, hooked up to numerous wires and sensors – an unnatural sleep surroundings. This setup can artificially influence sleep patterns, yielding data that doesn’t accurately reflect an individual’s typical sleep behavior. Wearable technology, conversely, offers a more naturalistic and convenient method. Participants can wear activity trackers and smartwatches in their everyday lives, providing researchers with longitudinal sleep data in a real-world setting. This approach allows us to capture the nuances of sleep patterns over an extended period, giving us a much clearer picture of the relationship between sleep and cognitive health. The use of wearable sensors in sleep research is truly revolutionizing the way we collect data and understand sleep-related disorders.

Interviewer: The study focuses on women aged 55 and older. Is ther a specific reason for this age demographic?

dr. Reed: Absolutely. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia increases substantially with age, and women are disproportionately affected. Focusing on women aged 55 and older allows us to study this population at a critical juncture where sleep disturbances and cognitive decline frequently enough begin to manifest. This focused approach allows for a deeper understanding of the specific effects of sleep on cognitive function within this demographic. Understanding the factors contributing to this disparity is crucial for developing targeted interventions. This study hopes to shed light on whether sleep disruption helps create or worsen the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Interviewer: The study also incorporates surveys and at-home cognitive assessments. How do these components complement the wearable data?

Dr. Reed: combining objective data from wearable devices with subjective details from surveys and cognitive assessments is vital for building a holistic understanding of the sleep-cognition relationship.The surveys help us gather insights into participants’ sleep habits, including sleep duration, regularity, and the presence of sleep disorders like sleep apnea.The at-home cognitive assessments provide crucial information about their cognitive function, allowing us to correlate specific sleep patterns with changes in cognitive performance at home and in their everyday lives. This multifaceted approach offers a far richer and more comprehensive dataset than we could acquire through any single method. For instance, understanding sleep apnea’s impact and the correlation with daily activity levels are crucial parts of this study.

Interviewer: What are some of the key potential outcomes you anticipate from the REFRESH-NOW study?

Dr. Reed: We hope to identify specific sleep-related risk factors for cognitive decline in women. This will include analyzing the impact of sleep duration, sleep consistency, and the presence or absence of sleep disorders. Ultimately,we aim to develop targeted interventions to improve cognitive outcomes,potentially through lifestyle modifications,sleep hygiene education,or even the development of novel therapeutic approaches. We also expect to improve our understanding of potential risk factors linked to cognitive decline, thus paving the way for preventative strategies.This research has the potential to reshape how we approach the prevention and management of cognitive decline in women.

Interviewer: What are some practical steps women can take to improve their sleep hygiene?

Dr. Reed: Here are some key recommendations for better sleep hygiene:

• Establish a regular sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine: This might include a warm bath, reading, or meditation.
• Optimize your sleep surroundings: Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.
• Limit screen time before bed: The blue light emitted from electronic devices can interfere with sleep.
• Get regular exercise: Physical activity can promote better sleep, but avoid intense workouts close to bedtime.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake: These substances can disrupt sleep patterns.
• Consider seeking professional help: If you are experiencing persistent sleep problems, consult a doctor or sleep specialist.

interviewer: Dr. Reed,thank you for sharing your expertise and insights. This research promises to be transformative in the field of cognitive health.

Dr. Reed: My pleasure. it’s a critical area of research, and I believe the REFRESH-NOW study will considerably contribute to our understanding of the sleep-cognition connection in women.

Interviewer: Readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. What are your biggest concerns or questions regarding sleep and cognitive health, particularly in women? Let’s continue this conversation on social media using #REFRESHNOW #SleepCognition #WomensHealth.