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Sleep Disorders in Huntington's Disease
Radoslawa Herzog-Krzywoszanska1, Lukasz Krzywoszanski2
1General Psychology Unit, Chair of Psychology, Faculty of Pedagogy, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Krakow, Poland.
Insights
Huntington's disease (HD) significantly disrupts sleep and circadian rhythms, affecting patients early on. Addressing these sleep issues is crucial for improving quality of life and managing HD symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder.
- HD is characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric disturbances.
- Sleep and circadian rhythm abnormalities are common in HD, appearing early in the disease course.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in Huntington's disease.
- To outline findings on sleep patterns and disturbances in HD patients.
- To discuss factors contributing to sleep problems in HD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on sleep and circadian rhythms in HD patients.
- Analysis of findings concerning sleep patterns and disturbances.
- Discussion of diagnostic methods and treatment-related factors.
Main Results:
- HD patients frequently experience insomnia, sleep onset difficulties, nocturnal awakenings, and daytime sleepiness.
- Specific alterations in sleep architecture are observed in HD.
- Psychiatric and motor symptoms, as well as medication side effects, contribute to sleep disturbances.
Conclusions:
- Sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in HD are complex and multifactorial.
- Effective management of sleep disturbances can improve patient functioning and quality of life.
- Addressing sleep issues may offer relief for cognitive and emotional symptoms in HD.
Abstract:
Huntington's chorea (Huntington's disease, HD) is a genetic disorder caused by autosomal dominant mutation, leading to progressive neurodegenerative changes in the central nervous system. Involuntary movements such as chorea occur typically in HD patients, accompanied by progressive cognitive and psychiatric disturbances. Other common symptoms of HD are circadian and sleep abnormalities, which are observed from the earliest stages of the disease or even before the occurrence of clinical symptoms. The most common sleep problems reported by HD patients include insomnia, difficulties in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Also, specific changes in sleep architecture have been identified in HD. In this paper, we review studies on sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in HD. We outline findings concerning sleep patterns and disturbances of circadian rhythms in HD patients, as well as the role of psychiatric disorders and motor disorders in HD patients' sleep problems. We also discuss problems related to the different methods of diagnosing sleep disorders in HD. Furthermore, the adverse effects of medication used for the treatment of core HD symptoms as one of the sources of sleep disturbances in HD are emphasized. In conclusion, the diversity and complexity of the determinants of sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in HD are highlighted. Finally, the relevance of effective treatment to improve patients' functioning and quality of life as well as the potential relief of their cognitive and emotional symptoms is addressed.