CHOLINE, SLEEP DISTURBANCES, AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Abstract

Existing studies identify a possible link between choline, sleep disturbance, and Alzheimer’s disease, however further exploration is needed to determine the nature of this association. As the precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, choline plays an integral role in several neuronal processes, including some responsible for memory and learning. Decreased cholinergic neuronal activity is associated with brain abnormalities consistent with Alzheimer’s disease, an aging disease that disproportionately affects the elderly, and is believed to contribute to the cognitive decline experienced by Alzheimer’s disease patients, however the mechanism for this is not well understood. In this narrative review, we explore the associations between sleep disturbances, choline and the cholinergic pathway, and Alzheimer’s disease. Current research shows that the connection between sleep disturbances, choline, and Alzheimer’s disease is worth exploring in greater depth. In this review, we demonstrate there is a need for further studies to understand the mechanism through which inadequate sleep may impair the cholinergic pathway in order to guide targeted treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.