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Sleep Dysfunction in Older Age Parkinson's Disease
Elie Matar1, Claudia Lazcano-Ocampo2, C Padmakumar3
1Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia; Centre for Sleep and Chronobiology, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
None:
Sleep and circadian disturbances are prevalent in Parkinson's disease (PD) and become increasingly complex in older adults, where aging-related changes, comorbidities, and polypharmacy further disrupt sleep. This review explores the pathophysiology of sleep and circadian dysfunction in aging and PD, highlighting the impact of neurodegenerative changes and neurotransmitter dysregulation. Key sleep disorders in older adults with PD are discussed with a focus on their epidemiology, assessment, and tailored management. Given the heightened sensitivity of older adults to medications, non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, light therapy, structured exercise, and environmental modifications are emphasized as first-line treatments.
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