How non-rapid eye movement sleep and Alzheimer pathology are linked

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Research attempts to identify characteristic factors that are associated with the presence of the AD pathology on the one hand and that increase the risk of developing AD on the other. Changes in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep may meet both requirements for various reasons. First, NREM-sleep is important for optimal memory function. In addition, studies report that the presence of AD pathology is associated with NREM-sleep changes. Finally, more and more results appear to suggest that sleep problems are not only a symptom of AD but can also increase the risk of AD. Several of these studies suggest that it is primarily a lack of NREM-sleep that is responsible for this increased risk. However, the majority investigated sleep only through subjective reporting, as a result of which NREM-sleep could not be analyzed separately. The aim of this literature study is therefore to present the results of the studies that relate the AD pathology and NREM-sleep (registered by electroencephalography). Furthermore, we try to evaluate whether NREM-sleep analysis could be used to support the diagnosis of AD and whether NREM-sleep deficiency could be a causal factor in the development of AD.

The potential and prospects of sleep biomarkers in early Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

“…In addition to the reduced slow-wave activity during NREM sleep, decreased theta and sigma activity, and changes in spindle characteristics, have been found to have a strong connection to the risk of cognitive disorders [8]. NREM sleep is crucial for optimal memory function, and research reports indicate frequency-specific deficits in frontal slow waves during NREM sleep in the context of AD pathology [9,10]. Recent studies suggest that deep NREM slow-wave sleep (SWS) can enhance learning and memory function in older adults who are in good health and potentially mitigate impaired memory resulting from a substantial burden of AD pathology [11].…”

Magnesium may be an effective therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

“…Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common dementia characterized by the decline of cognitive function in the elderly. The accumulation of β-amyloid plaques and the existence of neurofibrillary tangles are the pathological bases for the dysfunction of various signaling pathways in the nervous system[ 1 ]. Since the pathogenic mechanism of AD is still not clear, its treatment approaches are unlikely to be meaningfully effective.…”

A classification-based generative approach to selective targeting of global slow oscillations during sleep

“…Sleep is crucial for health and brain functions, including mood and cognition ( Ramar et al, 2021 ). In particular, changes in non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) are associated with mild cognitive impairment ( D’Rozario et al, 2020 ), Alzheimer’s Disease ( Falter and Van Den Bossche, 2021 ) and other neurodegenerative issues [e.g., Parkinson’s Disease ( Schreiner et al, 2021 )]. Oscillatory events found in the EEG during NREM sleep have been causally implicated in changes in overnight memory performance.…”