Sleep and brain health: the roles of sleep duration and daytime alertness in cognitive functioning across the adult lifespan

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In the context of rapid population ageing and increasing rates of mental ('cognitive') impairment and dementia, our project is aimed at promoting brain health and preventing cognitive decline. Sleep is a modifiable lifestyle factor which impacts cognition. We will investigate key sleep parameters and their relationships with everyday cognitive abilities. Crucially, with research typically focusing on specific age groups and/or people with sleep disorders, we will consider functioning across the adult lifespan. Additionally, we will comprehensively explore the effects of sleep across the range of core cognitive abilities. Study 1 will comprise a scoping review of important sleep parameters from the literature thus far. We will gather the available evidence and synthesise the findings regarding their impacts on young, middle-aged, and older adults' cognitive functioning. Study 2 will be a large-scale survey in which we consider sleep-cognition relationships across adulthood, taking into account wider aspects of health and wellbeing (e.g. physical activity, health, and mental wellbeing). Importantly, we will investigate a range of specific, everyday cognitive domains (e.g. attention, visual and verbal memory, language). Using focus groups in Study 3, we will better understand the experiences of middle-aged and older adults with poor sleep, and their perceived impact of sleep on everyday cognition. From the outset, the project will feature extensive knowledge exchange and impact activities with our partner, Alzheimer Scotland. Study 4 will comprise the co-design and evaluation of educational resources for promoting the role of sleep in brain health. An associated health promotion campaign, based on the co-developed materials, will also be conducted via public talks, online resources (e.g. a 'Toolkit'), and workshops. The project will develop scientific and public understanding of the impacts of sleep on brain health, promote better sleep across adulthood, and help prevent or delay cognitive decline.