Recent advance in Alzheimer's disease induced by sleep disorders / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Sleep disorders commonly exist and are the earliest clinical symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). At present, the molecular mechanism of AD caused by sleep disorders is not clear. Recent studies have found that sleep disorders can promote the accumulation of beta amyloid (Aβ) in the brain to form amyloid plaques with toxic effects. The increased Aβ inhibits the synaptic transmission pathway and induces abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein, which eventually leads to synaptic dysfunction. In addition, the inflammatory and stress response induced by Aβ are also associated with AD. Therefore, the improvement of sleep disorders may be a new pathway for the treatment of AD, in which light therapy is proved to be particularly effective. This article reviewes the latest progresses in the influences of sleep disorders in pathogenesis and treatment of AD in recent years.