Sundown syndrome

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Sundown syndrome is an observation that some patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia tend to have less severe symptoms in the morning and early afternoon, and worse symptoms in the evening and at night.

"While the exact cause of sundown syndrome is not known, experts believe there are several contributing factors. These include physical and mental exhaustion (after a long day), and a shift in the "internal body clock" caused by the change from daylight to dark. Some people with Alzheimer’s disease have trouble sleeping at night, which may contribute to their disorientation. Medication that can cause agitation or confusion also may be a contributing factor to this syndrome."^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ Alzheimer’s Disease: Questions and Answers. Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals