Person:

Mariani, Sara

Background: Poincaré delay maps are widely used in the analysis of cardiac interbeat interval (RR) dynamics. To facilitate visualization of the structure of these time series, we introduce multiscale Poincaré (MSP) plots. Methods: Starting with the original RR time series, the method employs a coarse-graining procedure to create a family of time series, each of which represents the system’s dynamics in a different time scale. Next, the Poincaré plots are constructed for the original and the coarse-grained time series. Finally, as an optional adjunct, color can be added to each point to represent its normalized frequency. Results: We illustrate the MSP method on simulated Gaussian white and 1/f noise time series. The MSP plots of 1/f noise time series reveal relative conservation of the phase space area over multiple time scales, while those of white noise show a marked reduction in area. We also show how MSP plots can be used to illustrate the loss of complexity when heartbeat time series from healthy subjects are compared with those from patients with chronic (congestive) heart failure syndrome or with atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: This generalized multiscale approach to Poincaré plots may be useful in visualizing other types of time series.

Slow wave (or stage N3) sleep has been linked to a variety of cognitive processes. However, the role of stage N3 in the elderly is debated. The link between stage N3 and episodic memory may be weakened or changed in the older adult population, possibly due to several altered mechanisms impacting the cellular structure of the brain. The bases for the age-related dissociation between stage N3 and cognition are not understood. Since APOEε4 status is the strongest genetic risk factor for cognitive decline, we assessed whether the ε4 allele is associated with stage N3 sleep. Participants were from the population-based Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) cohort with polysomnography and APOEε4 genotype data (n = 2,302, 100% male, mean age 76.6 years). Sleep stages were objectively measured using overnight in-home polysomnography and central electroencephalogram data were used to score stage N3 sleep. Cognitive function was assessed using the Modified Mini Mental State Exam (3MS). The APOE rs429358 single nucleotide polymorphism, which defines the APOEε4 allele, was genotyped using a custom genotyping array. Total time in stage N3 sleep was significantly higher (p<0.0001) among the 40 MrOS participants carrying two copies of the ε4 allele (62±5.2 minutes) compared with 43±1.5 minutes for carriers of one ε4 allele (n = 515) and 40±0.8 minutes for ε4 non-carriers (n = 1747). All results were independent of sleep efficiency, number of sleep cycles, and apnea hypopnea index. These findings support an association between APOEε4 genotype and sleep stage N3 in the elderly. Increased total stage N3 duration among ε4/ε4 carriers does not appear to reflect compensation for prior cognitive decline and may reflect overactive downscaling of synapses during sleep. If confirmed, these results might in part explain the high risk of age-related cognitive decline and AD among APOE ε4/ε4 carriers.