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Investigating the synergistic relationship between sleep quality, physical activity, and levels of brain beta-amyloid
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Investigating the synergistic relationship between sleep quality, physical activity, and levels of brain beta-amyloid

Belinda M. Brown, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Victor L. Villemagne, Jeremiah J. Peiffer, Sabine Bird, Simon M. Laws, Kevin Taddei, Lance Macaulay, Christopher C. Rowe, David Ames, …
Alzheimer's & Dementia, Vol.11(7S_Part_9), pp.P451-P451
2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2015.06.455
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2015.06.455View
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Abstract

Background There is currently no effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), thus, attention has turned to preventative measures, such as lifestyle modifications, that have the potential to delay AD onset. Recently, higher levels of physical activity and good sleep quality have been separately linked to lower levels of brain beta-amyloid (Aβ). In particular, our team has reported an association between higher levels of physical activity and lower brain Aβ in apolipoprotein (APOE) ε4 carriers. However, to our knowledge, no previous research has investigated whether a synergistic link between sleep and exercise exists, and the effect of such a link on AD-related neuroimaging biomarkers. Thus, we aim to investigate whether our previously reported association between higher levels of physical activity and lower brain Aβ in APOEε4 carriers remains salient in individuals experiencing poor sleep quality. Methods Data from 79 cognitively healthy men and women aged over 60 years was collected via the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of Ageing. Subjective measures of physical activity and sleep quality were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Based on answers given to the PSQI, participants were classified as having either ‘good’ or ‘poor’ sleep quality. Brain Aβ burden was quantified by amyloid-binding positron emission tomography ligands. The association between sleep, physical activity and brain Aβ was evaluated using multiple linear regression analyses. Results The association between higher levels of physical activity and lower brain Aβ in APOE ε4 carriers was evident in participants reporting good sleep quality (F=3.69, p < 0.05); this result was not salient in those reporting poor sleep quality (F=0.33, p > 0.10). Further analyses will increase the sample size, and also evaluate other factors (i.e. other genotypes) as potential moderators of the link between sleep, physical activity and Aβ. Conclusions Our results suggest that a combination of physical activity and good sleep quality may contribute to maintaining cognitive health, and through interpretation of AD-related neuroimaging results, may indicate a protective effect on the ageing brain, leading to a reduced risk or delay in onset of AD.

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