Alzheimer's disease: Neurotransmitters of the sleep-wake cycle

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019 Oct:105:72-80. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.07.019. Epub 2019 Aug 1.

Abstract

With aging, our sleeping pattern alters. Elderly often wake unrested because their sleep time and sleep efficacy is reduced. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, these alterations are even more pronounced and may further aggravate cognitive decline. Therefore, sleep disturbances greatly impact self-care ability, caregiver exhaustion and institutionalization rate. Reestablishing an effective sleep-wake cycle in these patients still remains an unresolved challenge, partly because sleep physiology is quite complex and multiple neurotransmitter systems contribute to a single process. Gaining a better understanding of sleep physiology will be crucial for further research. Conjointly, animal models, along with a multidisciplinary approach, will be of great value to establish a common ground between AD and sleep disturbances and work towards a potential therapeutic application.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Mouse models; Neurotransmitters; Sleep physiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / metabolism*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / physiopathology
  • Wakefulness / physiology*