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Anesthesiologists in Egypt as a representative of developing countries with large populations and shortage of trained personnel and extended working hours that may reach 30 continuous hours are susceptible victims of fatigue and sleep deprivation. To evaluate and compare differences in cognitive function of anesthesia residents before and after the 24 hours work shift. Prospective, observational, cohort study that was conducted in tertiary care hospital (Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University). Fifty anesthesia residents with 24 hours working shift participated in the study. The cognitive function was assessed before and after the shift using Psychomotor Vigilance Task, Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Trail Making Test before and after the shift. Psychomotor Vigilance Task mean reaction time before and after shift was 302.1 ± 35.2 ms and 371.9 ± 55.4 ms, respectively (P value < 0.001). Karolinska Sleepiness Scale mean before and after shift was 3.34 ± 1.189 and 6.24 ± 1.589, respectively (P value < 0.001). Epworth Sleepiness Scale mean before and after shift was 6.68 ± 2.759 and 14.86 ± 3.423, respectively (P value < 0.001). Trail Making Test mean times in both parts A and B, before shifts were 38.82 ± 8.458 and 63.16 ± 11.557 s, respectively. While, post shifts mean times were 44.86 ± 9.370 and 72.60 ± 12.294 s, respectively (P value < 0.001 for both parts). Sleep deprivation in night shifts increases the day-time sleepiness and affects the anesthesiologist' cognitive processes, such as reaction time, alertness, rapid problem solving, psychomotor skills, attention, mental flexibility, and executive functions. clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03784560. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combat naval vessels require continuous operational preparedness for guarding the vast coastline. Sailors onboard these ships are at risk for sleep deprivation. Sailors may be vulnerable to chronic fatigue; and decreased performance, vigilance, and cognitive functioning owing to sleep debt, which may affect safety during tactical operations and while transportation of ships. In this study we assessed the work-rest pattern and level of alertness during sailing and non sailing days. Thirty-two male participants maintained a 24-h sleep and activity log for 5 days. Furthermore, qualitative gross motor activity was recorded using an actiwatch during these 5 days. Participants also completed four test sessions of personal digital assistant (PDA) based psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) test: pre-sleep, post-sleep, pre-work, and post-work. A comparison of data was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Sailors received approximately 1 h less of rest while sailing. There was a significant difference in bedtime, wake-up time, total sleep time, sleep onset latency (SOL), wake up after sleep onset (WASO), and the number of awakenings during the non-sailing and the sailing days. PVT data showed significantly higher reaction times during the sailing days on pre-work and post-sleep sessions. Our study shows that although the sailors are not getting sufficient restorative sleep while sailing as compared to non-sailing days, this is not affecting their cognitive functioning while working. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Supplementation of tocotrienols enhanced attention in healthy subjects. • Supplementation of tocotrienols significantly improved memory in healthy subjects. • Tocotrienols increased neural efficiency of subjects, as evidenced by EEG analysis. • Tocotrienols acts as a potential nootropic in improving cognitive performance. This study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of tocotrienols (T3) supplementation on one's attention and memory. Eleven healthy subjects were enrolled to receive placebo followed by T3 in 6 weeks. Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and Digit Span Test (DST) were used to access subjects' sustained attention and working memory. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was used to examine the brainwave activity. T3 supplementation significantly improved the memory of the subjects in relative to the baseline as measured by average mean span for forward and reverse DST. Notably, a significant memory enhancement for T3 over placebo was observed. Subjects who consumed T3 have shown faster reaction as compared to placebo as assessed by PVT. T3 supplementation showed an overall reduction in alpha and low-beta power in comparison to placebo, indicating T3 promoted a higher neural efficacy. T3 supplementation may act as a potential nootropic in improving the mental performance and cognitive activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]