Human longevity is associated with regular sleep patterns, maintenance of slow wave sleep, and favorable lipid profile

Abstract

Some individuals are able to successfully reach very old ages, reflecting higher adaptation against age-associated effects. Sleep is one of the processes deeply affected by aging; however few studies evaluating sleep in long-lived individuals (aged over 85) have been reported to date. The aim of this study was to characterize the sleep patterns and biochemical profile of oldest old individuals (N = 10, age 85–105 years old) and compare them to young adults (N = 15, age 20–30 years old) and older adults (N = 13, age 60–70 years old). All subjects underwent full-night polysomnography, 1-week of actigraphic recording and peripheral blood collection. Sleep electroencephalogram spectral analysis was also performed. The oldest old individuals showed lower sleep efficiency and REM sleep when compared to the older adults, while stage N3 percentage and delta power were similar across the groups. Oldest old individuals maintained strictly regular sleep-wake schedules and also presented higher HDL-cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels than older adults. The present study revealed novel data regarding specific sleep patterns and maintenance of slow wave sleep in the oldest old group. Taken together with the favorable lipid profile, these results contribute with evidence to the importance of sleep and lipid metabolism regulation in the maintenance of longevity in humans.

The origins and evolution of sleep

“…Sleep appears to be fundamental to animal life, yet little is known about how sleep has evolved throughout the animal kingdom. In diverse animal taxa, poor sleep can have detrimental effects on development (Roffwarg et al, 1966;Mirmiran et al, 1983;Kayser et al, 2014), cognitive abilities (Scullin and Bliwise, 2015) and life span (Mazzotti et al, 2014), and it is now appreciated that normal sleep is fundamental to healthy physiology and bodily function (Shaw et al, 2002;Cappuccio et al, 2010;Arble et al, 2015). While the function of sleep remains unknown, studies have identified relationships between sleep and anatomical, physiological or ecological traits (Lesku et al, 2006;Capellini et al, 2008;McNamara et al, 2009).…”

Exercise Training Improves Plasma Lipid and Inflammatory Profiles and Increases Cholesterol Transfer to High‐Density Lipoprotein in Elderly Women

“…HDL has several atheroprotective functions and has been recognized as a longevity marker . HDL has chief roles in plasma cholesterol esterification and reverse cholesterol transport and additional anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, vasodilatory, and antiapoptotic properties.…”

Neuroendocrine-Metabolic Dysfunction and Sleep Disturbances in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and Melatonin

“…The relation between sleep and neurodegenerative diseases is bidirectional [40]. Neurodegeneration is accompanied by sleep difficulties due to reduction of amplitude and phase changes of circadian rhythms such as that of melatonin secretion, as well as the disturbing influences of neurodegenerative processes on sleep.…”

“…Neurodegeneration is accompanied by sleep difficulties due to reduction of amplitude and phase changes of circadian rhythms such as that of melatonin secretion, as well as the disturbing influences of neurodegenerative processes on sleep. Conversely, inadequate sleep, in terms of both duration and quality, increases the neurodegenerative process and aggravates the underlying clinical picture [40]. …”