Decline in long-term circadian rest-activity cycle organization in a patient with dementia.
Continuous measurement of the circadian rest-activity cycle for 598 days in a demented patient with probable Alzheimer's disease revealed slow progressive changes in temporal organization until death. Circadian and sleep analysis of the actigraphic data provided objective documentation of the gradual insertion of wakefulness into rest and rest into wake periods. Pacing, a nonphotic zeitgeber strengthening, led to improved synchronization of the rest-activity cycle.
Werth
Esther
E
Centre for Chronobiology and Alzheimer's Research Group, Psychiatric University Clinic Basel, Switzerland.
Savaskan
Egemen
E
Knoblauch
Vera
V
Gasio
Paola Fontana
PF
van Someren
Eus J W
EJ
Hock
Christoph
C
Wirz-Justice
Anna
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D021081:Chronobiology Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index