Hypothalamus and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: potential implications in sleep disorders

Valentina Gnoni; Stefano Zoccolella; Alessia Giugno; Daniele Urso; Ludovica Tamburrino; Marco Filardi; Giancarlo Logroscino

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2023.1193483

Hypothalamus and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: potential implications in sleep disorders

Front Aging Neurosci. 2023 Jul 3:15:1193483. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1193483. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Valentina Gnoni^{1

2}, Stefano Zoccolella^{1

3}, Alessia Giugno¹, Daniele Urso^{1

2}, Ludovica Tamburrino^{1

4}, Marco Filardi^{1

4}, Giancarlo Logroscino^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, University of Bari Aldo Moro at Pia Fondazione "Card. G. Panico," Tricase, Italy.
² Department of Neurosciences, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom.
³ Neurology Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Bari, Bari, Italy.
⁴ Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences (DiBraiN), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects both motor and non-motor functions, including sleep regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that the hypothalamus, a brain region that plays a critical role in sleep-wake regulation, may be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS-related sleep disturbances. In this review, we have summarized results of studies on sleep disorders in ALS published between 2000 and 2023. Thereafter, we examined possible mechanisms by which hypothalamic dysfunctions may contribute to ALS-related sleep disturbances. Achieving a deeper understanding of the relationship between hypothalamic dysfunction and sleep disturbances in ALS can help improve the overall management of ALS and reduce the burden on patients and their families.

Keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; circadian rhythm; hypothalamus; neurodegeneration; sleep disorders.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This work has been supported by the founding of Regione Puglia and CNR for Tecnopolo per la Medicina di Precisione. D.G.R. no. 2117 of 21.11.2018 (CUPB84I1 8000540002)–C.I.R.E.M.I.C (Research Center of Excellence for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Brain Aging)–University of Bari “Aldo Moro.”