Microsleep and arousals: Biomarker for disease and mortality - Poul Jennum

Microsleep episodes and frequent cortical arousals during sleep are increasingly studied as potential biomarkers of neurological disease and mortality risk. Microsleep refers to brief, involuntary lapses in consciousness that occur during wakefulness or unstable sleep–wake states, often reflecting severe sleep deprivation or impaired neural regulation. Recurrent arousals fragment sleep architecture and are commonly observed in conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests that excessive sleep fragmentation and unstable vigilance are associated with cognitive decline, metabolic dysfunction, and increased all-cause mortality. Therefore, monitoring microsleep events and arousal patterns may provide valuable indicators for early disease detection and long-term health risk assessment.