脳障害と治療

概要

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder in Alzheimer's Disease-A consideration in relation with the Neuropathological and Neuroendocrinal alternation-

Miki Umetsu, Kentaro Fukumoto, Shigeru Sakurai and Akio Sakai

The Circadian rhythm sleep disorder of the dementia is apt to cause night wandering, delirium and even sundowning syndrome. And these behaviors put a major burden on the patients themselves and their caregivers. The ratio of complication of Circadian rhythm sleep disorder in Alzheimer's disease, the major figure of dementia, is considerably high. Circadian rhythm sleep disorder in Alzheimer's disease is supposed to be caused by physiological change of the internal secretion rhythm, physical disorder and/or environmental factors. Furthermore, in recent years, in addition to the high rate of coexistence, it has been reported that there may be essential relation between circadian rhythm sleep disorder and Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we summarized the role of neuropathological and neuroendocrinal alternation in Circadian rhythm sleep disorder of Alzheimer's disease.