Centre for Clinical Research in Neuropsychiatry, Graylands Hospital, Perth, Australia.
J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2011 Jul;17(4):571-86. doi: 10.1017/S1355617711000610.
There is rapidly accumulating evidence of a close relationship between sleep loss and cognition. Neuropsychologists need to become aware of this body of knowledge as the effects of sleep loss on brain functions are significant. The current study (a) outlines the extent to which insufficient sleep affects performance on cognitive tasks in otherwise healthy people, (b) discusses the relationship between sleep and neurocognitive disorders, and (c) highlights key issues that merit consideration for neuropsychologists. This review shows that sleep loss has a measurable impact on performance through decreases in cognitive functions and effects on biological pathways that support cognitive performance. Sleep loss reliably produces reductions in speed of processing and attention. Higher order cognitive functions are affected to a lesser extent, and there is sparing on tasks of crystallized abilities. Deficits worsen with increasing time awake, but may be overturned after normal sleep is resumed. The review also shows that sleep disorders are a major feature of neuropsychological conditions contributing to the pattern of cognitive impairment. Overall, neuropsychologists must be alert to sleep problems in their clients, so that sleep interventions, or referrals, are put in place in the rehabilitation plan of individuals with cognitive dysfunctions. Recommendations also include routine screening of sleep as part of cognitive assessment.
越来越多的证据表明，睡眠不足与认知能力密切相关。神经心理学家需要意识到这方面的知识，因为睡眠不足对大脑功能的影响是显著的。本研究（a）概述了睡眠不足在多大程度上影响健康人群认知任务的表现，（b）讨论了睡眠与神经认知障碍的关系，以及（c）强调了神经心理学家值得关注的关键问题。这篇综述表明，睡眠不足通过降低认知功能和影响支持认知表现的生物途径，对表现产生可衡量的影响。睡眠不足可靠地导致处理速度和注意力下降。较高层次的认知功能受影响较小，而晶体能力的任务则有一定的保留。随着清醒时间的增加，缺陷会恶化，但在正常睡眠恢复后可能会逆转。该综述还表明，睡眠障碍是导致认知障碍模式的神经心理状况的一个主要特征。总的来说，神经心理学家必须警惕他们的客户的睡眠问题，以便在有认知功能障碍的个体的康复计划中实施睡眠干预或转介。建议还包括将睡眠筛查作为认知评估的一部分常规进行。
