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2019 Pilot Awards for Global Brain Health Leaders (GBHI)

Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Disturbances in FTD and Older Adults

Jennifer Zitser, MD
Global Brain Health Institute and UCSF
San Francisco, CA - United States



More than 50% of individuals with dementia are thought to experience sleep problems, which may precede cognitive impairment. Although prior work has characterized sleep disruptions in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, its association with frontotemporal dementia is as yet unknown. Using low-cost devices, Dr. Zitser proposes to investigate sleep/wake differences in individuals with frontotemporal dementia compared to cognitively unimpaired individuals. Dr. Zitser believes that characterizing these differences will help to inform health teams and advocates. The study results could be utilized for sleep assessments in low income countries.

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