http://goo.gl/Aw4WNa
Nelson said one of the theories about sundowning is that it is tied to disruptions that often occur in the biological clocks of older people, where their sleep-wake cycles are fragmented.
To test this theory, the researchers also treated the aged mice with melatonin for four weeks in order to help consolidate their circadian rhythms. However, this treatment did not work to reduce anxiety issues in the mice.
Nelson said melatonin alone may not work because it doesn’t deal with the disruptions in the cholinergic system that was identified in this study.
“We need to study whether treating cholinergic dysfunction alone or in combination with melatonin treatment will help deal with sundowning symptoms,” he said.
To test this theory, the researchers also treated the aged mice with melatonin for four weeks in order to help consolidate their circadian rhythms. However, this treatment did not work to reduce anxiety issues in the mice.
Nelson said melatonin alone may not work because it doesn’t deal with the disruptions in the cholinergic system that was identified in this study.
“We need to study whether treating cholinergic dysfunction alone or in combination with melatonin treatment will help deal with sundowning symptoms,” he said.