Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2009 Feb;11(1):20-6.
doi: 10.1007/s11920-009-0004-2.

Current treatments for sleep disturbances in individuals with dementia

Cynthia L Deschenes, Susan M McCurry
Review

Current treatments for sleep disturbances in individuals with dementia

Cynthia L Deschenes et al. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2009 Feb.

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are widespread among older adults. Degenerative neurologic disorders that cause dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, exacerbate age-related changes in sleep, as do many common comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions. Medications used to treat chronic illness and insomnia have many side effects that can further disrupt sleep and place patients at risk for injury. This article reviews the neurophysiology of sleep in normal aging and sleep changes associated with common dementia subtypes and comorbid conditions. Current pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic evidence-based treatment options are discussed, including the use of light therapy, increased physical and social activity, and multicomponent cognitive-behavioral interventions for improving sleep in institutionalized and community-dwelling adults with dementia.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Cotter VT. The burden of dementia. Am J Manag Care. 2007;13(Suppl 8):S193–S197. - PubMed
    1. McCurry SM, Reynolds CF, Ancoli-Israel S, et al. Treatment of sleep disturbance in Alzheimer's disease. Sleep Med Rev. 2000;4:603–608. - PubMed
    1. Fuller PM, Gooley JJ, Saper CB. Neurobiology of the sleep-wake cycle: sleep architecture, circadian regulation, and regulatory feedback. J Biol Rhythms. 2006;21:482–493. [Of importanceThis article contains a comprehensive overview of the structure and physiology of sleep that includes information about anatomy, neurohormone and neurotransmitter activity, circadian rhythms, and sleep staging.] - PubMed
    1. Izak S. Basic anatomy and physiology of sleep. Am J Electroneurodiagnostic Technol. 2006;46:18–38. - PubMed
    1. van Someren EJW. More than a marker: interaction between the circadian regulation of temperature and sleep, age-related changes, and treatment possibilities. Chronobiol Int. 2000;17:313–354. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances