Which symptom is commonly observed as Alzheimer's disease progresses and sleep-wake cycles become disrupted?

Which symptom is commonly observed as Alzheimer's disease progresses and sleep-wake cycles become disrupted?

• A. Weight loss
• B. Memory improvement
• C. Insomnia
• D. Hallucinations

Answer: (C)

Sleep-wake cycle disruption in Alzheimer's disease commonly presents as insomnia as the disease advances. As neurodegeneration progresses, people often have trouble initiating or maintaining sleep, experience more nighttime awakenings, and show increased daytime sleepiness. This pattern is often accompanied by sundowning, when confusion and agitation worsen in the late afternoon or evening, reflecting circadian rhythm disturbance. Insomnia directly reflects the advancing disruption of the brain networks that regulate sleep and is a frequent consequence of the disease’s progression. Weight loss can occur in advanced dementia but isn’t driven primarily by sleep-wake changes. Memory decline progresses, not improves. Hallucinations may occur in some cases but are not the typical consequence of sleep-wake disruption in Alzheimer’s.

Sleep-wake cycle disruption in Alzheimer's disease commonly presents as insomnia as the disease advances. As neurodegeneration progresses, people often have trouble initiating or maintaining sleep, experience more nighttime awakenings, and show increased daytime sleepiness. This pattern is often accompanied by sundowning, when confusion and agitation worsen in the late afternoon or evening, reflecting circadian rhythm disturbance. Insomnia directly reflects the advancing disruption of the brain networks that regulate sleep and is a frequent consequence of the disease’s progression.

Weight loss can occur in advanced dementia but isn’t driven primarily by sleep-wake changes. Memory decline progresses, not improves. Hallucinations may occur in some cases but are not the typical consequence of sleep-wake disruption in Alzheimer’s.