Sleep Medicine · Jul 8, 2025

Deterioration of psychomotor vigilance and mild cognitive impairment in Japanese community-dwelling older Adults: The toon health study

By Tanno S, Tomooka K, Tanigawa T et al.

AIM: Previous studies have suggested that sleep disruptions are related to early-stage cognitive decline. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between objective sleepiness (measured using the psychomotor vigilance test [PVT]) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), independent of sleep-related factors, among community-dwelling Japanese older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 1094 participants aged ≥60 years who participated in the Toon Health Study from 2014 to 2017. Three PVT parameters were assessed: the mean reaction time (RT), standard deviation of RT (SDRT), and number of lapses. MCI was assessed using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J); an MoCA-J score <26 was defined as indicative of probable MCI. We analyzed the association between PVT parameters and MCI using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders, including sleep duration, sleep-related breathing disorder, and daytime sleepiness. RESULTS: The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals) of MCI for the highest-quartile groups for mean RT, SDRT, and number of lapses versus the lowest-quartile groups were 2.14 (1.45-3.17), 2.03 (1.38-2.97), and 1.85 (1.24-2.77), respectively. The mean RT had a highest discriminatory capacity for MCI. CONCLUSIONS: Objective sleepiness evaluated using the PVT was associated with a higher risk of MCI even after adjustment for sleep-related factors. Although these findings suggest a potential role of the PVT for identification of individuals at risk of MCI, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the temporal and causal nature of the relationship between psychomotor vigilance and MCI.

doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2025.106669PubMed 40663833Biomarkers