Risperidone is Effective for Wandering and Disturbed Sleep/Wake Patterns in Alzheimer’s Disease

The occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is growing, with 68% of cases occurring in women. Declines in global function exacerbated by reversal of day–night patterns, disturbed sleep–wake rhythms, and excessive daytime sleepiness make managing AD difficult. In this study, the authors examined the effect and duration of effect of therapeutic light on sleep, rest–activity, and global function in women with AD using mixed methods in a two-group experimental design with repeated measures on one factor. Twenty women with AD were randomized to experimental or control conditions. Blue-green or dim red light was delivered via cap visor in the morning. Results of the qualitative analysis of serial interviews with family and facility caregivers regarding perceived effect of light on global function are presented. Themes emerged in both groups with respect to cognition and psychosocial function. Future studies with larger samples using quantitative measures of global function are warranted to verify findings.

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Supporting Functional Behavior in Alzheimer's Disease

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610296003249 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 8 (S1) ◽

pp. 123-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lena Borell

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Dementia Care ◽

Behavioral Strategies ◽

Functional Behavior ◽

Disturbed Sleep ◽

Impaired Cognition ◽

Supporting Functional

Institutionalized persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) often demonstrate nonfunctional behaviors such as resistance to dressing and washing, disturbed sleep, restlessness, homesickness, and wandering. If behavior is regarded as emanating from the person with impaired cognition interacting with his or her environment, the environment is found to have a very significant impact on retaining functional capacity. For example, studies have demonstrated how behaviors described as wandering and homesickness strongly relate to events and objects in the environment (Zingmark et al., 1993). The context or environment contributes to the success or failure of behavioral strategies. The goal in dementia care must be to have a positive impact on functional behavior. One consequence of this is that functional behavior can be altered, within limits, through environmental strategies.

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The effect of memantine on sleep architecture and psychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Acta Neuropsychiatrica ◽

10.1017/neu.2015.61 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 157-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ichiro Ishikawa ◽

Hideto Shinno ◽

Nobuo Ando ◽

Takahiro Mori ◽

Yu Nakamura

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Sleep Time ◽

Sleep Architecture ◽

Disturbed Sleep ◽

Movement Index ◽

Nocturnal Awakening ◽

State Examination

ObjectiveBehavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are commonly present in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Disturbed sleep quality is also observed in AD patients. However, the effects of memantine on sleep architecture have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of memantine on polysomnography (PSG) variables and BPSD.MethodsIn total, 12 patients with AD (mean age: 79.0±4.1 years old) were enrolled in this study. The following tests were performed: the Neuropsychiatric Inventory for the assessment of BPSD, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive function, and PSG for evaluation of sleep architecture. After baseline examinations, patients were treated with memantine according to a standard prescription protocol. After being treated with 20 mg/day of memantine for 4 weeks, examinations were carried out again.ResultsAll subjects completed the trial. The mean MMSE and NPI scores were 22.6±3.4 and 13.8±12.9, respectively. Treatment with memantine significantly decreased the NPI score (5.8±4.3, p<0.01). There were significant decreases in the scores of subscales for anxiety (p=0.04) and irritability/lability (p=0.04). PSG demonstrated a longer total sleep time (TST) (p<0.01), increases in sleep efficiency (p<0.01) and time spent in stage II (% TST, p=0.02), and decreases in nocturnal awakening (p<0.01), the periodic limb movement index (p<0.01), and time spent in stage I (% TST, p=0.02).ConclusionMemantine was effective for reducing fragmented sleep and improving BPSD, and was well tolerated.

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Deepen into sleep and wake patterns across Alzheimer's disease phenotypes

Alzheimer s & Dementia ◽

10.1002/alz.12304 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Neus Falgàs ◽

Christine M. Walsh ◽

Thomas C. Neylan ◽

Lea T. Grinberg

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Disease Phenotypes ◽

Wake Patterns

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1153 DISTURBED SLEEP IS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (AD) BIOMARKERS PREDICTIVE OF PERSONS THAT ULTIMATELY DEVELOP AD: FINDINGS FROM SUBGROUP META-ANALYSIS ON SLEEP AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleepj/zsx050.1152 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 40 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. A430-A430

Author(s):

OM Bubu ◽

JL Bakke ◽

MM Hogan ◽

OQ Umasabor-Bubu ◽

F Mukhtar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Disturbed Sleep

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ACTIGRAPHIC SLEEP-WAKE PATTERNS AND URINARY 6-SULFATOXYMELATONIN EXCRETION IN PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Chronobiology International ◽

10.1081/cbi-100103973 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 513-524 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Rafael Luboshitzky ◽

Zilla Shen-Orr ◽

Orna Tzischichinsky ◽

Marina Maldonado ◽

Paula Herer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Wake Patterns

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Circadian Rhythm-Related Behavioral Disturbances and Structural Hypothalamic Changes in Alzheimer's Disease

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610297003426 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 8 (S3) ◽

pp. 245-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Witte J. G. Hoogendijk ◽

Eus J. W. van Someren ◽

Majid Mirmiran ◽

Michel A. Hofman ◽

Paul J. Lucassen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Circadian Rhythm ◽

Older Persons ◽

Behavioral Disturbances ◽

Age Related ◽

Wake Patterns ◽

Nocturnal Restlessness ◽

Mental Decline ◽

Age Related Changes

Age-related changes in circadian rhythm (e.g., fragmented sleep-wake patterns) occur in many older persons but are particularly pronounced in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In these patients, disruptions of circadian rhythms can be severe enough to increase mental decline, agitation during the day, and restlessness at night. Moreover, patients whose nocturnal restlessness disrupts the sleep of the caregiver are more likely to be institutionalized than those who have cognitive impairment alone.

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