認知症の早期徴候とリスク要因としての睡眠問題

Sleep Problem as a Prodrome and Risk Factor for Dementia

アルツハイマー病をはじめとする認知症では，睡眠および覚醒系神経核や視交叉上核の器質障害により，極めて高い頻度で不眠，過眠，リズム障害，睡眠時呼吸障害，睡眠不足などの睡眠障害や概日リズム異常が併存する。これら睡眠障害は認知症患者の生活の質を低下させ，介護負担を増大させる。最近の研究により，睡眠障害は認知症の早期マーカーであり，かつ発症の危険因子となっていることも明らかになってきた。

Abstract

Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is often associated with various sleep disorders such as insomnia, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, sleep-disordered breathing and sleep debt due to organic damages of sleep/wake-promoting nucleus and circadian center (suprachiasmatic nucleus). These sleep disorders reduce the quality of life of individuals with dementia, and increase the care burden, which are major social issues. Recent studies have revealed that sleep deterioration is not only a comorbid symptom but also a prodrome and a risk factor for the development of dementia.