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Effects of partial sleep deprivation on prefrontal cognitive functions in adolescents

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Abstract

Purpose

The effect of sleep deprivation on cognitive functions associated with the frontal lobe, such as attention, executive functions, and working memory, is not well known. This study aimed to investigate the effect of partial sleep deprivation in adolescents on the cognitive tasks of the frontal lobe, including visuospatial working memory, processing speed, sustained attention, executive functions, and short-term visual memory.

Methods

Participants were recruited from voluntary students of Çukurova University. Eighteen adolescents underwent four consecutive nights of monitored sleep restriction (6–6.5 h/night) and four nights of sleep extension (10–10.5 h/night) in a counterbalanced order and separated by a washout period. Following each sleep period, the cognitive performance was assessed, at a fixed morning time, using a computerized neuropsychological test battery based on frontal lobe functions tasks, which was a timed test providing both accuracy and reaction time outcome measures.

Results

Only the spatial working memory performance of cognitive tasks was found to be statistically lower in the restricted-sleep condition than in the extended-sleep condition (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the performance of cognitive tasks evaluating simple attention, constant attention, executive functions, and cognitive flexibility.

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicated that partial sleep restriction negatively affects specifically working memory and strategic thinking skills among cognitive functions based on the frontal lobe. Especially the visuospatial working memory and strategic thinking skills of adolescents might be susceptible to chronic partial sleep deprivation.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to our undergraduate students and research assistants who helped increase the number of participants as volunteer participants in this study and to follow-up on the cognitive assessment appointments.

Funding

This study was supported by Çukurova University Scientific Research Projects Unit. (Project Ref. SBA-2017–8729).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Balatcik, Cigli, 35620, Izmir, Turkey

    Nurcihan Kiriş

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  1. Nurcihan Kiriş
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Correspondence to Nurcihan Kiriş.

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I confirm that there is no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

Ethical approval

The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Non-invasive Clinical Research. Ethical Committee Permission Number: 2017–62/21.

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All participants gave their written informed consent.

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Kiriş, N. Effects of partial sleep deprivation on prefrontal cognitive functions in adolescents. Sleep Biol. Rhythms 20, 499–508 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41105-022-00396-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41105-022-00396-3

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