Cody, Karly APiro-Gambetti, BriannaZammit, Matthew DChristian, Bradley THanden, Benjamin LKlunk, William EZaman, ShahidJohnson, Sterling CPlante, David THartley, Sigan L
Summary
People with Down syndrome have an increased risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease as well as sleep disorders among other conditions. One way that Alzheimer’s is detected is through measuring how much beta amyloid is accumulated in a patient’s brain. Beta amyloid is a group of amino acids bonded together that is found in higher concentration in the brain of AD patients. In the general population, sleep disruption has been tied to beta amyloid accumulation, pushing researchers on this project to explore this connection in DS patients. Findings suggest that the connections between sleep issues, beta amyloid accumulation, and AD hold true for the DS population. Recommendations include early identification and treatment of sleep problems as a possible way to slow AD progression.
Abstract
Adults with Down syndrome have an increased risk for both disordered sleep and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the general population, disrupted sleep has been linked to beta amyloid accumulation, an early pathophysiologic feature of AD. In this study, the association among sleep, beta amyloid, and measures of AD-related cognitive decline was examined in 47 non-demented adults with Down syndrome (aged 26-56 years). Sleep was measured using actigraphy over 7 nights. Pittsburgh Compound B positron emission tomography was used to assess global and striatal beta amyloid burden. Participants had the following clinical AD status: 7 (15%) mild cognitive impairment and 40 (85%) cognitively unaffected. Average length of night-time awakenings was significantly positively associated with striatal beta amyloid and decreased cognitive performance in executive functioning and motor planning and coordination. Findings suggest that disrupted sleep is associated with beta amyloid accumulation and cognitive features of preclinical AD in Down syndrome. Early identification and treatment of sleep problems could be a lifestyle intervention that may delay beta amyloid accumulation and cognitive decline in this AD vulnerable group.
Conditions
Alzheimer Disease, Cognitive Decline, Cognitive Dysfunction, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Sleep Wake Disorders