Sleep deprivation is associated with increased levels of tau in animals and humans.
Disrupted sleep is associated with dementia and might increase β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau deposition. Tau aggregation is seen in Alzheimer disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and other diseases. Because tau levels are higher during wakefulness than sleep, investigators explored the relationship of sleep deprivation to levels of Aβ and tau in interstitial fluid (ISF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in animals and humans.
Mouse ISF tau increased almost 90% during normal wakefulness and doubled during sleep deprivation when compared with levels in normal sleep. This increase is greater than the investigators previously found with Aβ. Six humans (age range, 30–60) had lumbar catheters placed for 1 night of normal…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)