Sleep Apnea can Lead to Cognitive Decline in Older Men by Hannah Joy on May 28, 2021 at 8:32 PM Sleeping for less than 8 hours or having disrupted sleep is linked to cognitive dysfunction in men aged 65 and above, reveals a new study. In a new article published in the Journal of Sleep Research, the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health research group studied a group of 477 middle-aged and older men's attention and processing speed in relation to their sleep. The participants from the Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study undertook cognitive testing and a successful sleep study. ‘Sleep warning for older men - disruption or change in sleeping patterns can lead to cognitive decline.’