The effects of sleep dysfunction on cognition, affect, and quality of life in individuals with cerebellar ataxia

Akshata Sonni; Lauri B F Kurdziel; Bengi Baran; Rebecca M C Spencer

doi:10.5664/jcsm.3706

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The effects of sleep dysfunction on cognition, affect, and quality of life in individuals with cerebellar ataxia

Journal article

Open access

The effects of sleep dysfunction on cognition, affect, and quality of life in individuals with cerebellar ataxia

Akshata Sonni, Lauri B F Kurdziel, Bengi Baran and Rebecca M C Spencer

Journal of clinical sleep medicine, Vol.10(5), pp.535-543

05/15/2014

DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.3706

PMCID: PMC4013382

PMID: 24812539

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Abstract

Cerebellar ataxia comprises a group of debilitating diseases that are the result of progressive cerebellar degeneration. Recent studies suggest that, like other neurodegenerative diseases, sleep impairments are common in cerebellar ataxia. In light of the role of sleep in mood regulation and cognition, we sought to assess interactions between sleep, cognition, and affect in individuals with cerebellar ataxia. A survey of 176 individuals with cerebellar ataxia was conducted. The battery of instruments included a modified International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Restless Leg Syndrome Questionnaire, REM Behavior Disorder Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and a Composite Cognitive Questionnaire. Fifty-one percent of individuals indicated significant sleep disturbances on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 73% of participants had two or more symptoms of restless leg syndrome, and 88% had two or more symptoms of REM behavior disorder. Ataxia severity, based on the modified International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, predicted scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and REM Behavior Disorder Questionnaire. Median split analyses revealed that cognitive function appeared to be reduced and depressive symptoms were greater for those individuals with poor subjective sleep quality and severe RLS. Importantly, sleep appears to play a mediatory role between disease severity and depressive symptoms. These results suggest that disturbed sleep may have detrimental effects on cognition and affect in individuals with cerebellar ataxia. While objective measures are needed, such results suggest that treating sleep deficits in these individuals may improve cognitive and mental health as well as overall quality of life.

Severity of Illness Index

Activities of Daily Living - psychology

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - complications

Humans

Middle Aged

Cognition

Sleep Wake Disorders - complications

Sleep Wake Disorders - psychology

Affect

Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

Cerebellar Ataxia - complications

Cerebellar Ataxia - psychology

Restless Legs Syndrome - psychology

Restless Legs Syndrome - complications

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder - psychology

Adult

Surveys and Questionnaires

Aged

Quality of Life - psychology

Details

Title: Subtitle: The effects of sleep dysfunction on cognition, affect, and quality of life in individuals with cerebellar ataxia
Creators: Akshata Sonni - Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA
Lauri B F Kurdziel - Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA
Bengi Baran - Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA
Rebecca M C Spencer - Neuroscience and Behavior, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA ; Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of clinical sleep medicine, Vol.10(5), pp.535-543
DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.3706
PMID: 24812539
PMCID: PMC4013382
NLM abbreviation: J Clin Sleep Med
ISSN: 1550-9389
eISSN: 1550-9397
Publisher: United States
Grant note: R01 AG040133 / NIA NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 05/15/2014
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Center for Social Science Innovation
Record Identifier: 9984065376402771

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