Shorter sleep duration and lesser sleep efficiency are associated with poorer memory functions among non-demented, middle-aged, and older rural Indians

Sleep is known to be involved in cognitive processes, such as memory encoding and consolidation, and poor sleep is a potential risk factor for dementia. This study aims to investigate the effect of sleep quality on memory functions among middle-aged and older adults from a rural Indian population. Participants were non-demented, rural Indians (≥ 45 years) from an ongoing, prospective, aging cohort study, namely Srinivaspura Aging, NeuroSenescence, and COGnition (SANSCOG) study. Cross-sectional (baseline) data on seven sleep dimensions was obtained using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Memory functions were assessed using immediate recall, delayed recall, name-face association, and semantic association from a culturally validated, computerized, neurocognitive test battery. Linear regression models, unadjusted and adjusted for cognitive status, age, sex, and depression were used to analyze the association between each sleep dimension and the memory tests. A total of 1195 participants, with a mean age of 57.10 years, were included. Out of the seven sleep dimensions of the PSQI, only two dimensions, namely sleep duration and sleep efficiency, were significantly associated with memory functions. In the fully adjusted model, shorter sleep duration was significantly associated with poorer performance in delayed recall, and lesser sleep efficiency was significantly associated with poorer delayed recall and semantic association performance. Specific sleep characteristics appear to influence memory functions in aging Indians well before the onset of dementia. In the backdrop of the non-availability of a definitive treatment for dementia, promptly identifying and addressing these problems could be an effective, community-level strategy for preventing dementia.