As Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) progresses, families are often forced to move their loved ones from home to assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Often, the precipitating factor is disturbed sleep- wake (circadian) cycles, where the person with ADRD is awake at night, causing stress and fatigue to family caregivers. Light therapy has shown great promise as a nonpharmacological treatment in helping regulate sleep in ADRD and in improving cognition. Studies have demonstrated that daytime light exposure can consolidate and increase nighttime sleep efficiency, while increasing daytime wakefulness and reducing evening agitation. More importantly, light exposure during the day has been shown to improve memory in ADRD patients. In our current grant activities, with the goal of increasing the efficacy and acceptability of the treatment, we have developed field measurement methodologies for obtaining accurate circadian light-dark exposures and activity-rest patterns in those with ADRD using the Dimesimeter, a portable, precisely calibrated dime-sized device that records circadian (and visual) light continuously as well as activity for several days or weeks (Aim 1). We have also demonstrated the acceptability of the device by those with ADRD (Aim 2) and we have completed data collection for 56 patients with ADRD and 53 caregivers on the effectiveness of a practical but scientifically sophisticated day-night lighting system designed to improve entrainment to the solar day and improve sleep quality in persons with ADRD and their caregivers living in the home environment (Aim 3). The circadian system is maximally sensitive to short-wavelength (peak close to 460 nm) light. Our research team has shown that 470-nm (blue) light presented in the early evening can consolidate and increase sleep efficiency in assisted living facility residents diagnosed with mild to moderate symptoms of ADRD. Current grant activities indicate that lower levels (300-400 lux at the cornea) of bluish- white light installed in people's homes can significantly improve sleep and reduce depression in ADRD patients. Additional pilot work performed under the grant indicates that the same lighting system increased sleep efficiency, decreased agitation and decreased depression in ADRD patients living in nursing homes. In this competing renewal, we propose to extend the grant work activities and investigate the impact of short- (i.e., 4 weeks) and long-term (i.e., 6 months) exposures to a tailored daytime lighting intervention on agitation, cognition, nighttime sleep measures, and quality of life of those with ADRD living in assisted living and nursing home settings. By combining spectrum and light level, we will effectively stimulate the circadian system without increasing energy costs. We will also investigate the most effective way to deliver the light in these settings and inform manufacturers that can develop new lighting products for this application. Data from these studies can help overcome barriers to the adoption of light as a nonpharmacological intervention to improve sleep and behavior in those with ADRD living in more controlled environments.

Public Health Relevance

Data suggest that, of more than 10 million Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) and their caregivers, about one-third of the patients and two-thirds of the caregivers have trouble sleeping. Often the person with ADRD is awake at night, causing tremendous stress and fatigue to caregivers. The proposed studies will extend finding from the current grant activities and investigate if the positive effects a tailored lightig treatment observed in ADRD patients living at home can also improve sleep and reduce agitation in those living in assisted living and nursing homes. The findings from these studies will be translated into new lighting products that can be used to effectively treat sleep disorders in those with ADRD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG034157-07
Application #
9050595
Study Section
Adult Psychopathology and Disorders of Aging Study Section (APDA)
Program Officer
Mackiewicz, Miroslaw
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2019-04-30
Budget Start
2016-05-01
Budget End
2017-04-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Other Specialized Schools
DUNS #
002430742
City
Troy
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
12180
Figueiro, M G; Nagare, R; Price, Lla (2018) Non-visual effects of light: how to use light to promote circadian entrainment and elicit alertness. Light Res Technol 50:38-62
Figueiro, Mariana G (2017) Light, sleep and circadian rhythms in older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Neurodegener Dis Manag 7:119-145
Figueiro, M G; Plitnick, B; Rea, M S (2016) Research Note: A self-luminous light table for persons with Alzheimer's disease. Light Res Technol 48:253-259
Sloane, P D; Figueiro, M; Garg, S et al. (2015) Effect of home-based light treatment on persons with dementia and their caregivers. Light Res Technol 47:161-176
Hornick, Thomas R; Higgins, Patricia A; Duffy, Mark E et al. (2015) Using Light to Manage Sleep-Wake Issues in Patients With Dementia. Fed Pract 32:42-45
Figueiro, Mariana G; Hunter, Claudia M; Higgins, Patricia et al. (2015) Tailored Lighting Intervention for Persons with Dementia and Caregivers Living at Home. Sleep Health 1:322-330
Figueiro, Mariana G; Plitnick, Barbara; Rea, Mark S (2014) The effects of chronotype, sleep schedule and light/dark pattern exposures on circadian phase. Sleep Med 15:1554-64
Figueiro, Mariana G; Plitnick, Barbara A; Lok, Anna et al. (2014) Tailored lighting intervention improves measures of sleep, depression, and agitation in persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia living in long-term care facilities. Clin Interv Aging 9:1527-37
Figueiro, M G; Hamner, R; Bierman, A et al. (2013) Comparisons of three practical field devices used to measure personal light exposures and activity levels. Light Res Technol 45:421-434
Hanford, Nicholas; Figueiro, Mariana (2013) Light therapy and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia: past, present, and future. J Alzheimers Dis 33:913-22

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