Internal medicine

Neurology

Neuroscience

Sleep (system call)

Depression (economics)

Disease

Hypoventilation

Weakness

Operating system

Psychiatry

Macroeconomics

Etiology

Surgery

Psychology

Economics

Motor neurone disease

Computer science

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Respiratory system

Medicine

Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports

Purpose of Review In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sleep disruption is frequently present and substantially adds to disease burden. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on causes, pathophysiology, and treatment of sleep disturbances in ALS. Recent Findings Motor neuron degeneration and muscle weakness may lead to muscle cramps, pain, spasticity, immobilization, restless legs, sleep-disordered breathing, and difficulties to clear secretions. Furthermore, existential fears and depression may promote insomnia. Sleep-disordered breathing, and nocturnal hypoventilation in particular, requires ventilatory support which meaningfully prolongs survival and improves health-related quality of life albeit respiratory failure is inevitable. Early indication for non-invasive ventilation can be achieved by inclusion of capnometry in diagnostic sleep studies. Summary Sleep disruption is extremely common in ALS and may arise from different etiologies. The absence of causative therapeutic options for ALS underlines the importance of symptomatic and palliative treatment strategies that acknowledge sleep-related complaints.

Sleep and Sleep Disruption in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis