Sleep as a Window Into Neurodegeneration

Sleep abnormalities and disorders may be early indicators, accelerants, and potentially modifiable risk factors for neurodegeneration—from cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease to dementia with Lewy bodies. Insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep fragmentation, and altered sleep architecture have all been linked to neurodegeneration. Longitudinal home sleep studies, along with imaging studies and blood tests, may eventually expand access to data that may help clinicians identify neurodegenerative risk earlier in routine sleep practice. For now, we examine the bidirectional relationship between sleep and neurodegeneration, dive deeply into glymphatic system dysfunction, and discuss emerging approaches to clinically assess sleep-linked neurodegeneration risks. Attendees will learn: --How sleep disorders have been linked to specific neurodegenerative disorders, including the likely mechanisms of brain damage, according to research studies --How the glymphatic system should function during sleep and wake, and what can happen during sleep-linked dysfunction --Whether sleep represents a modifiable risk factor for neurodegeneration Presenter 1: Mikal Williams, RPSGT, BSBA -Regional Manager, Neurophysiology & Sleep at MultiCare Neuroscience Institute -Program Director, The RainerNeurodiagnostic Conference Presenter 2: Jeffrey Iliff, PhD -Professor, UW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/UW Department of Neurology -Research Education Component Lead, Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center -Associate Director for Research, VISN 20 NW Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound This webinar is supported by an educational grant from Cadwell.