Teaching NeuroImage: Non–24-Hour Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder. (31st May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tesson, Alan R.; Ali, Mir Mustafa; Spector, Andrew R.
• Is Part Of: Neurology. Volume 98:Number 22(2022)
• Page Start: 945
• Page End: 946
• Publication Date: 2022-05-31
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200570
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3878

Abstract

Abstract : A 77-year-old woman with obstructive sleep apnea reported a lifelong difficulty with periods of severe nocturnal insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Wrist actigraphy, the diagnostic method of choice for circadian rhythm disorders, was not covered by insurance. A review of her CPAP data (Figure) demonstrated progressively later bedtimes with a period of greater than 24 hours, revealing the diagnosis of non–24-hour sleep-wake rhythm disorder. While common in unsighted individuals, non–24-hour sleep-wake rhythm disorder can occur in sighted people, 1, 2 as was the case here. For patients on PAP therapy, adherence data can provide evidence of circadian rhythm disorders.