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Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
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Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
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Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
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Sleep Disturbances in the Elderly.

Kristina F Zdanys1, David C Steffens1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sleep disturbances are common in older adults. This review covers normal aging sleep changes, primary sleep disorders, and impacts of neurocognitive and medical conditions, plus treatments.

Keywords:
Alzheimer’sDeliriumDementiaGeriatricInsomniaMelatoninOld-ageSleep disorders

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are a frequent complaint among older adults presenting to physicians.
  • Understanding age-related sleep changes is crucial for geriatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review normal sleep pattern changes with aging.
  • To discuss primary sleep disorders in the elderly.
  • To examine sleep disturbances associated with neurocognitive disorders and common medical illnesses in older adults.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of normal sleep changes in aging.
  • Review of primary sleep disorders affecting the elderly.
  • Examination of sleep alterations in Alzheimer disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
  • Discussion of medical conditions impacting sleep in older adults.
  • Summary of nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatment strategies.

Main Results:

  • Aging alters sleep architecture, often leading to reduced sleep quality and quantity.
  • Primary sleep disorders and comorbid medical/psychiatric conditions frequently disrupt sleep in the elderly.
  • Neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer disease and Lewy Body Dementia are associated with significant sleep disturbances.
  • Treatment strategies require careful consideration of side effect risks in older adults.

Conclusions:

  • Comprehensive evaluation of sleep disturbances in older adults is essential.
  • Management should address underlying causes, including aging, primary sleep disorders, and associated conditions.
  • Treatment decisions must prioritize safety and minimize adverse effects in this vulnerable population.