|  | Conditions Treatments | Alzheimers

Sundowners Syndrome in the Aged

According to SundownersFacts.com, Sundowners Syndrome is characterized by the intensification of symptoms exhibited during the evening and night hours by some Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

  1. Prevalence

    • Sundowners symptoms are not exhibited by all Alzheimer's and dementia patients, though a National Institutes of Health study found 1 in 8 demented and non-demented nursing home residents to exhibit Sundowners symptoms.

    Onset

    • The Sundowners patient typically exhibits intensified symptoms of dementia after dark. Others show no signs of dementia until the sun goes down.

    Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Theory

    • Some researchers believe Sundowners is related to SAD, a condition believed to cause depression during winter due to shorter periods of daylight. SAD, however, affects patients of all ages.

    Overwhelming Stimuli Theory

    • Others believe Sundowners is a result of sensory input accumulated during the day reaching a point of sensory stimuli overload at night, causing stress and confusion in the patient. A related theory blames ordinary fatigue at the end of the day for Sundowners symptoms.

    Hormonal and Vision Theories

    • Some doctors see a link between Sundowners and hormonal imbalances occurring at night, while others believe the diminished ability to see at night is a contributing factor.

Alzheimers - Related Articles