People suffering from the brain injury seen in Alzheimer's disease are subject to the effects of circadian rhythms in the brain, research has shown.
Scientists at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute have found that the 'clock genes' which contribute to these rhythms, are present within the brain as well as other parts of the body.
It was found that the circadian rhythms were altered in Alzheimer's patients compared to healthy individuals, which could cause the sleep-wake deficits observed in this group.
Diane B Boivin, director of the Douglas Centre for Study and Treatment of Circadian Rhythms, explained that the sleep pattern worsens as the condition progresses.
"The altered sleep pattern worsens with disease progression and is the most frequent reason for institutionalization. Improved understanding of the process that underlies sleep-wake disruption may lead to better treatments or therapies," she said.
This follows research from Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago that revealed being housebound could put older people at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's, reports HealthDay News.
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Posted by Matthew Dixon