Neurodegenerative Disorders and Sleep

Abstract

Patients suffering from neurodegenerative conditions frequently report sleep complaints, such as insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness. These symptoms are likely multifactorial, caused by their underlying neurologic disorder and also by medications and other comorbidities associated with the progressive condition. A detailed history, sleep logs, actigraphy, or polysomnography may be necessary to properly diagnosis and manage these patients. Improvement in sleep may result in improvement in neurologic symptoms and quality of life in this population. There is growing evidence that disrupted sleep may lead to acceleration in the progression of the neurodegenerative disorder and may play a role in the pathogenesis.

Keywords: Alzheimer disease; Circadian rhythm disorder; Dementia; Insomnia; Parkinson disease; Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder; Restless legs syndrome; Sleep apnea.