Speaker Credentials
OMS-II
College
Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO
Medical Specialty
Neurology
Format
Poster
Start Date
November 2024
End Date
November 2024
Track
1
Abstract
Background: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disturbances have been implicated in accelerating cognitive decline in aging individuals and those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This review explores the relationship between REM sleep disruptions and the progression of AD. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted in June 2024 across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar using terms, “Alzheimer’s,” “REM,” and “sleep disturbances.” Articles focused on REM sleep disturbances in AD patients, excluding those with underlying sleep disorders, comorbidities, or genetic predispositions, were selected. Key data on tau pathology, beta-amyloid accumulation, cognitive decline, and neuroimaging findings were independently extracted and analyzed by four authors. Results: Initial screening identified 52 articles related to REM sleep disturbances in AD pathogenesis, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. These studies encompassed 2,800 participants, with a mean age of 72 years (range 50-90). Of the participants, 1,200 were in the preclinical stages of AD, while 1,600 had clinical AD. REM sleep disturbances were associated with a 20-30% increase in tau pathology, driven by tau phosphorylation and misfolding, and a 30-40% increase in beta-amyloid accumulation in the medial temporal lobes and prefrontal cortex. These changes were linked to cognitive decline,executive function, and episodic memory. Conclusion: REM sleep disturbances lead to beta-amyloid plaque buildup affecting the pathogenesis and progression of AD. Given the variability and measured outcomes, further controlled trials are warranted to study specific alterations that directly correlate with REM sleep disturbance and AD.
Included in
Impact of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Disturbances in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease: A Scoping Review
Background: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disturbances have been implicated in accelerating cognitive decline in aging individuals and those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This review explores the relationship between REM sleep disruptions and the progression of AD. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted in June 2024 across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar using terms, “Alzheimer’s,” “REM,” and “sleep disturbances.” Articles focused on REM sleep disturbances in AD patients, excluding those with underlying sleep disorders, comorbidities, or genetic predispositions, were selected. Key data on tau pathology, beta-amyloid accumulation, cognitive decline, and neuroimaging findings were independently extracted and analyzed by four authors. Results: Initial screening identified 52 articles related to REM sleep disturbances in AD pathogenesis, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. These studies encompassed 2,800 participants, with a mean age of 72 years (range 50-90). Of the participants, 1,200 were in the preclinical stages of AD, while 1,600 had clinical AD. REM sleep disturbances were associated with a 20-30% increase in tau pathology, driven by tau phosphorylation and misfolding, and a 30-40% increase in beta-amyloid accumulation in the medial temporal lobes and prefrontal cortex. These changes were linked to cognitive decline,executive function, and episodic memory. Conclusion: REM sleep disturbances lead to beta-amyloid plaque buildup affecting the pathogenesis and progression of AD. Given the variability and measured outcomes, further controlled trials are warranted to study specific alterations that directly correlate with REM sleep disturbance and AD.