Suboptimal self‐reported sleep efficiency and duration are associated with faster accumulation of brain amyloid beta in cognitively unimpaired older adults.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated whether self‐reported sleep quality is associated with brain amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation. METHODS: Linear mixed effect model analyses were conducted for 189 cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults (mean ± standard deviation 74.0 ± 6.2; 53.2% female), with baseline self‐reported sleep data, and positron emission tomography‐determined brain Aβ measured over a minimum of three time points (range 33.3–72.7 months). Analyses included random slopes and intercepts, interaction for apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele status, and time, adjusting for sex and baseline age. RESULTS: Sleep duration <6 hours, in APOE ε4 carriers, and sleep efficiency <65%, in the whole sample and APOE ε4 non‐carriers, is associated with faster accumulation of brain Aβ. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest a role for self‐reported suboptimal sleep efficiency and duration in the accumulation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology in CU individuals. Additionally, poor sleep efficiency represents a potential route via which individuals at lower genetic risk may progress to preclinical AD. Highlights: In cognitively unimpaired older adults self‐report sleep is associated with brain amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation.Across sleep characteristics, this relationship differs by apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.Sleep duration <6 hours is associated with faster brain Aβ accumulation in APOE ε4 carriers.Sleep efficiency < 65% is associated with faster brain Aβ accumulation in APOE ε4 non‐carriers.Personalized sleep interventions should be studied for potential to slow Aβ accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]