Troubles du sommeil fréquemment observés chez le sujet âgé

Aging is associated with various changes in patterns of sleep. Older subjects often display a phase advance and a decrease in the normal circadian rhythm, with a trend towards going to sleep and waking earlier. They also wake more frequently due to a reduced threshold in arousal from sleep. Aging is also associated with an increased risk in developing insomnia, primary (however seldom) or secondary to medical and psychosocial comorbidities or multiple medications. The prevalence of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorders, restless legs syndromes, periodic leg movements, and of obstructive or central sleep apnea is also increased in older subjects, who display, less commonly, narcolepsy with or without cataplexy.