Weldemichael Dawit A, Grossberg George T
Department of Neurology & Psychiatry, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2010 Sep 2;2010:716453. doi: 10.4061/2010/716453.
Circadian Rhythm Disturbances (CRDs) affect as many as a quarter of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients during some stage of their illness. Alterations in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and melatonin secretion are the major factors linked with the cause of CRDs. As a result, the normal physiology of sleep, the biological clock, and core body temperature are affected. This paper systematically discusses some of the causative factors, typical symptoms, and treatment options for CRDs in patients with AD. This paper also emphasizes the implementation of behavioral and environmental therapies before embarking on medications to treat CRDs. Pharmacotherapeutic options are summarized to provide symptomatic benefits for the patient and relieve stress on their families and professional care providers. As of today, there are few studies relative to CRDs in AD. Large randomized trials are warranted to evaluate the effects of treatments such as bright light therapy and engaging activities in the reduction of CRDs in AD patients.
昼夜节律紊乱（CRDs）在多达四分之一的阿尔茨海默病（AD）患者病程的某个阶段出现。视交叉上核的改变和褪黑素分泌是与CRDs病因相关的主要因素。因此，睡眠的正常生理、生物钟和核心体温都会受到影响。本文系统地讨论了AD患者CRDs的一些致病因素、典型症状和治疗选择。本文还强调在开始使用药物治疗CRDs之前实施行为和环境疗法。总结了药物治疗选择，为患者提供症状缓解，并减轻其家人和专业护理人员的压力。截至目前，关于AD患者CRDs的研究较少。有必要进行大型随机试验，以评估诸如强光疗法和参与活动等治疗方法对减少AD患者CRDs的效果。
