Sleep in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

Disorders of sleep are an integral part of neurodegenerative diseases and include insomnia, sleep-wake cycle disruption, excessive daytime sleepiness that may be manifested as persistent somnolence or sudden onset of sleep episodes, obstructive and central sleep apnea, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, and restless legs syndrome. The origin of these sleep disorders is multifactorial including degeneration of the brain areas that modulate sleep, the symptoms of the disease, and the effect of medications. Treatment of sleep disorders in patients with neurodegenerative diseases should be individualized and includes behavioral therapy, sleep hygiene, bright light therapy, melatonin, hypnotics, waking-promoting agents, and continuous positive airway pressure.

Keywords: Excessive daytime sleepiness; Insomnia; Nocturnal stridor; Obstructive sleep apnea; Parkinson disease; Periodic leg movements in sleep; REM sleep behavior disorder; Restless legs syndrome.