Sundowning (Dementia) Information
In medicine, sundowning, also known as sundown syndrome, is a syndrome involving the occurrence or increase of one or more abnormal behaviors in a circadian rhythm.[1] Sundowning typically occurs during the late afternoon, evening, and night, hence the name. It occurs in persons with certain forms of dementia and psychosis, such as seen in Alzheimer's disease. Although not widely surveyed, sundowning has been estimated to occur in 45% of persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.[2]
A person who is sundowning may exhibit mood swings, become abnormally demanding, suspicious, upset or disoriented, and see or hear things that are not there in the late afternoon and evening. After wandering, sundowning is the second most common type of disruptive behavior in institutionalized persons with dementia.[3] Sundowning often co-occurs with wandering, and the combination of these two syndromes is an important contributing factor to an emergency situation: elopement at night.
The cause of sundowning is unknown, but may be related to disturbed circadian rhythm.[1] Contributing factors may include medications that can cause agitation or confusion,[4] and sleep disorders.
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Prognosis
In persons with early Alzheimer's disease, the presence of sundowning has been associated with faster decline in cognitive functions.[2]
Treatment
Behavioral disturbance is often treated with antipsychotic medication such as haloperidol, risperidone, or olanzapine. However, these have significant side effects.[5]
References
- ^ a b Volicer L, Harper DG, Manning BC, Goldstein R, Satlin A (May 2001). "Sundowning and circadian rhythms in Alzheimer's disease". Am J Psychiatry 158 (5): 704–11. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.158.5.704. PMID 11329390. http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/158/5/704.
- ^ a b Scarmeas N, Brandt J, Blacker D et al. (December 2007). "Disruptive Behavior as a Predictor in Alzheimer Disease". Arch. Neurol. 64 (12): 1755–61. doi:10.1001/archneur.64.12.1755. PMC 2690610. PMID 18071039. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2690610.
- ^ U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment (1992). Special care units for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias: Consumer education, research, regulatory, and reimbursement issues.. Government Printing Office. ISBN 9781428928176. http://books.google.com/?id=0SXq4vuQM6oC.
- ^ Alzheimer’s Disease: Questions and Answers. Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals.
- ^ Health Guide health.nytimes.com Sunday, December 11, 2011.
External links
| Look up sundowning in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
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