Sleep and Dementia

Purpose of Review: In this review, we seek to analyze the most novel findings recently published in the literature on sleep and dementia. Recent Findings: The degeneration of suprachiasmatic nucleus and prefrontal cortex in dementia disrupts sleep-wake rhythmicity and contributes to cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD), respectively. Sleep deprivation increases amyloid-β production and decreases its clearance. Short and long duration of sleep increase risk of cognitive disorders. Studies suggest that obstructive sleep apnea accelerates amyloid deposition though intermittent hypoxia. Effect of CPAP on cognition is controversial. Subjects with severe daytime sleepiness or sleep-related movement disorder have a higher risk for vascular dementia. Summary: These findings highlight the impact of sleep on dementia. Thus, the bi-directional link of sleep and neurodegenerative disease may influence each other in many ways that have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of AD.