Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Physiology and Health
Gabriele Van Genderen - Fort Valley State University
Co-Author(s): Felicia Jefferson, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Sleep is essential for life. It’s also critical in the maintenance of homeostasis and vital in the prevention and onset of a number of diseases. If an organism does not get enough sleep it will become sleep deprived. Short sleep and chronic sleep deprivation are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. This study focuses on the influence of chronic short sleep and sleep deprivation to increase the risk of cognitive impairment in shift workers. An epidemiological analysis using ArcGIS was used to study populations consisting of shift workers in certain regions to check to see if there is a correlation to cognitive decline. The association between shift workers and short sleep duration was also researched. Chronic sleep deprivation and shift work appear to be a major contributors to cognitive decline, specifically Alzheimer’s disease. Those who have a predominantly manual occupation throughout life, have an increased risk of cognitive impairment and/or dementia than those with occupations with higher intellectual requirement. Higher occupational cognitive requirements are associated with better cognition and a slower rate of cognitive decline in older age.
Gabriele Van Genderen ERN Abstract 2017.pdfFunder Acknowledgement(s): NSF HBCU-UP Targeted Infusion Project, Award No.1533498 NSF Grant Number: 1435152
Faculty Advisor: Felicia Jefferson, jeffersonf@fvsu.edu
Role: Used ArcGIS to isolate and perform statistical analysis of populations of shift workers in Georgia.