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Sleep Disturbances in Frontotemporal Dementia

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports volume 16, Article number: 85 (2016) Cite this article

Abstract

Sleep disorders appear to be frequent comorbidities in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness commonly occur in patients with FTD and significantly contribute to caregiver burden and burnout. Sleep is severely fragmented in FTD patients, likely secondary to behavioral disturbances, other primary sleep disorders such as sleep disordered breathing and restless leg syndrome, and neurodegeneration of nuclei involved in sleep and wakefulness. Treatment of primary sleep disorders may improve excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep quality and may improve daytime cognitive functioning. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder is rare in FTD and may be confused with excessive nocturnal activity due to disturbed circadian rhythm. The relationship between FTD, sleep quality, and sleep disorders requires further study to better understand the contribution of disturbed sleep to daytime neurocognitive functioning and quality of life in FTD. Further, future studies should focus on comparing sleep disturbances between different FTD syndromes, especially behavioral variant FTD and primary progressive aphasia. Comorbid sleep disorders should be promptly sought and treated in patients with FTD to improve patient and caregiver quality of life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mayo Center for Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Stuart J. McCarter, Erik K. St. Louis & Bradley F. Boeve

  2. Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA

    Erik K. St. Louis

  3. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA

    Erik K. St. Louis & Bradley F. Boeve

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  1. Stuart J. McCarter
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Correspondence to Stuart J. McCarter.

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Conflict of Interest

Stuart J. McCarter declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Erik K. St. Louis has received personal fees from Inspire, Inc.

Bradley F. Boeve has received personal fees from Scientific Advisory Board—Tau Consortium and Isis Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Boeve has also received grants from GE Healthcare, the NIH, Mangurian Foundation, Cephalon, Inc., FORUM Pharmaceuticals, and C2N Diagnostics.

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McCarter, S.J., St. Louis, E.K. & Boeve, B.F. Sleep Disturbances in Frontotemporal Dementia. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 16, 85 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-016-0680-3

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