# Associations between plasma proteomic signatures and secondary sleep in older adults

## TL;DR

This study explores how plasma proteins relate to sleep patterns in older adults, finding inflammatory biomarkers linked to disrupted sleep.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific plasma proteins associated with secondary sleep and daytime sleep in elderly individuals.

## Key findings

- Nine protein biomarkers are associated with increased secondary sleep total sleep time.
- Twelve proteins are linked to daytime sleep, and five to afternoon sleep.
- Inflammatory processes are highlighted as significant in regulating sleep behavior.

## Abstract

Sleep disturbances are prevalent among elderly populations and are linked to various health complications. Understanding the underlying biological mechanisms contributing to sleep disorders is crucial for developing targeted interventions. In this study, we measured 355 plasma proteins in an elderly Japanese cohort (n=77) using a high-throughput proteomic platform. Additionally, we collected over 25,000 person-days of physical activity and sleep behavior data from wrist-worn wearable devices, focusing on total sleep time (TST) across 24 h and daytime sleep. Fragmented sleep was observed as one of the most prevalent sleep disturbances in this population. In protein expression analysis, we identified 9 protein biomarkers associated with increased secondary sleep TST, defined as additional sleep episodes outside of the main sleep episode within 24 h. These findings may suggest disruptions in circadian rhythms or underlying health conditions. Functional analysis revealed that biological processes related to inflammation play a significant role in regulating sleep behavior. Further analysis showed an association of 12 proteins with daytime sleep and 5 proteins with afternoon sleep. Overall, this study identified inflammatory biomarkers and biological processes associated with sleep behavior in the elderly, presenting promising opportunities for developing diagnostic tools and targeted clinical interventions.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11357-025-01565-1.