Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) improves circadianrhythm disturbances in Alzheimer disease
E.J.W. VanSomeren
Bok Engelsk 1998
| Utgitt | 1998
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| Omfang | Side 114- 118
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| Opplysninger | In patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), an irregular day-nightrhythm with behavioral restlessness during the night makes a strongdemand on caregivers and is among the most important reasons forinstitutionalization. A dysfunctioning circadian timing system issupposed to underlie the disturbance or at least to contribute to it.The disturbance improves with increased environmental light, which,through the retinohypothalamic tract, activates the suprachiasmaticnucleus (SCN), the biological clock of the brain. Because recentstudies have indicated both direct and indirect spinal projections tothe SCN, we investigated whether excitation of spinal neurons bymeans of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) couldalso improve circadian rhythm disturbances in AD patients. Theactigraphically obtained rest-activity rhythm of 14 AD patientsshowed an improvement in its coupling to Zeitgeber after TENStreatment but not after placebo treatment.
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