Sleep Disturbances in the Elderly

Zdanys, Kristina; Steffens, David C.

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2015.07.010

Cited by 65 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 133 publications

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“…Nevertheless, the majority of older adults have significant sleep disturbances, which are related to a variety of causes. Physical and psychiatric illnesses, and the medications used to treat them, also contribute towards sleep problems in old age . The prevalence of insomnia is higher among older adults and is frequently related to an underlying medical or psychiatric condition .…”

Section: Other Medical Conditions Contributing To Sleep Problems Of Omentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep disorders in the elderly: a growing challenge

2018

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In contrast to newborns, who spend 16-20 h in sleep each day, adults need only about sleep daily. However, many elderly may struggle to obtain those 8 h in one block. In addition to changes in sleep duration, sleep patterns change as age progresses. Like the physical changes that occur during old age, an alteration in sleep pattern is also a part of the normal ageing process. As people age, they tend to have a harder time falling asleep and more trouble staying asleep. Older people spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep than in deep sleep. As the circadian mechanism in older people becomes less efficient, their sleep schedule is shifted forward. Even when they manage to obtain 7 or 8 h sleep, they wake up early, as they have gone to sleep quite early. The prevalence of sleep disorders is higher among older adults. Loud snoring, which is more common in the elderly, can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea, which puts a person at risk for cardiovascular diseases, headaches, memory loss, and depression. Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder that disrupt sleep are more prevalent in older persons. Other common medical problems of old age such as hypertension diabetes mellitus, renal failure, respiratory diseases such as asthma, immune disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease, physical disability, dementia, pain, depression, and anxiety are all associated with sleep disturbances.

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Section: Other Medical Conditions Contributing To Sleep Problems Of Omentioning

confidence: 99%

Sleep disorders in the elderly: a growing challenge

2018

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“…Several studies have highlighted the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating insomnia (Bush et al , 2012) and anxiety (Kishita and Laidlaw, 2017). CBT aims to identify and challenge dysfunctional thoughts related to sleep and its impact on function (Morin, 1993; Zdanys and Steffens, 2015). Based on our findings, we suggest that future research examine whether or not patients with anxiety symptoms taking sleep medications may benefit from alternative and tailored non-pharmacological interventions, such as CBT.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between anxious symptoms and sleeping medication use among US older adults

Harris

McNicoll

Epstein‐Lubow

et al. 2017

Int J Geriat Psychiatry

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Results demonstrated that anxiety symptoms are significantly associated with sleeping medication use among US older adults. We also found that depressive symptoms, chronic conditions, and worse self-rated health are associated with sleeping medication use. As sleeping medications are associated with adverse health events, these results have clinical implications for treating anxiety symptoms among older patients.

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“…In relation to non-demented individuals of the same age [38], the sleep architecture of patients with AD indicates a quantitative reduction of both slow-wave sleep and REM and a significant degree of sleep fragmentation that decreases daytime alertness and increases napping. Approximately half of the patients with AD show exacerbation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the late afternoon/early evening, with agitation, restlessness, and confusion (“sundowning”) [37, 39].…”

Section: Sleep Disturbances In Admentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroendocrine-Metabolic Dysfunction and Sleep Disturbances in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and Melatonin

Spinedi¹,

Cardinali²

2018

Neuroendocrinology

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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with altered eating behavior and metabolic disruption. Amyloid plaques and neurofilament tangles are observed in many hypothalamic nuclei from AD brains. Some of these areas (suprachiasmatic nuclei, lateral hypothalamic area) also play a role in the regulation of the sleep/wake cycle and may explain the comorbidity of eating and sleep disorders observed in AD patients. Inadequate sleep increases the neurodegenerative process, for example, the decrease of slow-wave sleep impairs clearance of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and tau protein from cerebral interstitial fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) melatonin levels decrease even in preclinical stages (Braak-1 stage) when patients manifest no cognitive impairment, suggesting that reduction of melatonin in CSF may be an early marker (the cause for which is still unknown) of oncoming AD. Melatonin administration augments glymphatic clearance of Aβ and reduces generation and deposition of Aβ in transgenic animal models of AD. It may also set up a new equilibrium among hypothalamic feeding signals. While melatonin trials performed in the clinical phase of AD have failed to show or showed only modest positive effects on cognition, in the preclinical stage of dementia (minimal cognitive impairment) the effect of melatonin is demonstrable with significant improvement of sleep and quality of life. In this review, we discuss the main aspects of hypothalamic alterations in AD, the association between interrupted sleep and neurodegeneration, and the possible therapeutic effect of melatonin on these processes.

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Sleep Disturbances in the Elderly

Cited by 65 publications

References 133 publications

Sleep disorders in the elderly: a growing challenge

Sleep disorders in the elderly: a growing challenge

Association between anxious symptoms and sleeping medication use among US older adults

Neuroendocrine-Metabolic Dysfunction and Sleep Disturbances in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and Melatonin

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