Sleep Disorders and Neurological Diseases: A Review of the Current Evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/gce53f76Keywords:
sleep disorders; neurological diseases; Parkinson’s disease; epilepsy; multiple sclerosis; stroke.Abstract
Introduction: Sleep disorders clinically constitute a not uncommon condition in various neurological diseases and may be associated with impaired daytime behavior, more evident symptomatology, worsening quality of life, and poorer clinical evolution. Alterations such as insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movements, and respiratory disorders present different characteristics depending on the neurological disease and the method used for their assessment.
Objective: To analyze current clinical evidence regarding the relationship between sleep disorders and Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and stroke in the adult population.
Methodology: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The search focused on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SciELO, including primary studies published between 2021 and 2026 in English and Spanish. Studies involving adults that assessed sleep through polysomnography, respiratory polygraphy, actigraphy, recognized diagnostic criteria, or validated questionnaires were selected. After the identification, screening, and eligibility process, 23 studies were included.
Results: The collected evidence showed a high degree of clinical and methodological concordance. In Parkinson’s disease, poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder were prominent; in Alzheimer’s disease, insomnia and disruption of the sleep-wake rhythm; in epilepsy, poor sleep quality and its impact on quality of life; in multiple sclerosis, insomnia and restless legs syndrome; and in stroke, respiratory disorders, insomnia, and their association with prognosis. Pharmacological interventions with melatonin and lemborexant, as well as non-pharmacological interventions with exergaming, showed specific benefits, although the therapeutic evidence was limited.
Conclusions: Sleep disorders should be considered in the comprehensive assessment of neurological patients. Longitudinal and multicenter studies, as well as clinical trials with clear diagnostic criteria and outcomes, are required.
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