Alteration in sleep architecture and electroencephalogram as an early sign of Alzheimer's disease preceding the disease pathology and cognitive decline

Publication date: Available online 26 February 2019Source: Alzheimer's & DementiaAuthor(s): Feng Zhang, Rujia Zhong, Song Li, Zhenfa Fu, Renfei Wang, Tianxiao Wang, Zhili Huang, Weidong LeAbstractObjectiveThe present work aims to evaluate the significance of sleep disturbance and electroencephalogram (EEG) alteration in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD).Background and RationaleSleep disturbance is common in patients with AD. It is not known if it can occur at the early stage of AD and if EEG recording may help identify the early sign of the disease.Historical EvolutionSleep disturbance in AD has generally been considered as late consequence of the neurodegenerative process. A growing body of evidence has suggested that the sleep disturbance may occur at the early stage of AD.Updated HypothesisBased on the previous epidemiologic studies and our recent findings, we propose that sleep disturbance may play an important role in the development of AD. Sleep EEG changes may serve as a valuable early sign for AD in the prepathological stage.Early Experimental DataOur data suggested that AβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic AD mice at preplaque stage (3 and 4 months of age) exhibited different profile of sleep architecture and sleep EEG, which preceded the cognitive deficit and AD neuropathology.Future Experiments and Validation StudiesFuture experiments should focus on sleep EEG changes in patients with mild cognitive impairment and early stage of AD. Follow-up studies in high-risk...
Source: Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research