Sleep and Cognitive Impairment

Sleep is a dynamic process that changes as we age. Normal aging leads to a reduction in slow-wave sleep and total sleep time and a greater incidence of sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, neurodegenerative diseases can impact sleep in many ways. Sleep disorders themselves may also contribute to cognitive impairment, with effects on the glymphatic system and oxidative stress affecting critical brain regions. Among those with dementia, the treatment of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and rapid eye movement behavior disorder deserves special attention. This chapter will review the impact that the following neurological diseases can have on sleep: Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy, vascular dementia, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Potential treatment options are also discussed.