Exploring Sleep-Dementia Link: Neurocognitive Mechanisms and Therapeutic Horizons

The relationship between sleep disturbances and dementia represents a crucial domain in contemporary neuroscience and clinical research, with wide-reaching implications for patient care and disease management. Evidence consistently shows that disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythms are highly prevalent across all major types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular cognitive impairment, and may play an active role in accelerating neurodegenerative processes. Progress in advanced neuroimaging, biomarker discovery, and objective sleep assessments is shedding light on the complex neurocognitive mechanisms interlinking these conditions. However, significant knowledge gaps remain about the mechanisms involved, the heterogeneity among dementia subtypes, and the translation of mechanistic insights into effective therapies.This Research Topic aims to drive forward our understanding of how neurocognitive mechanisms underlying sleep and circadian rhythm dysfunction intersect with the pathogenesis and progression of various dementias. The focus lies on innovative research harnessing cutting-edge methodologies, from high-resolution imaging and molecular assays to computational and translational approaches, to uncover shared and distinct processes among dementia syndromes. There is particular interest in studies that chart the temporal relationship between sleep alterations and cognitive decline, define the role of specific biomarkers, and test novel interventions designed to optimize sleep and mitigate dementia-related outcomes. By converging mechanistic discovery and therapeutic exploration, this Research Topic seeks to accelerate the development of targeted treatments and preventative strategies anchored in the sleep-dementia nexus.The scope of this topic encompasses the investigation of sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm disruption as they relate to neurocognitive mechanisms and therapeutic advances across the spectrum of dementia syndromes. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:• Sleep architecture, circadian rhythms, and neurocognitive outcomes in dementia• Neuroimaging and electrophysiological correlates of sleep disruption• Biomarker and molecular profiling related to sleep and dementia• Non-pharmacological, pharmacological, and digital health-based interventions targeting sleep• Translational research bridging mechanistic findings and real-world therapyWe encourage a wide range of submissions, including original research, methods papers, brief research reports, data reports, systematic reviews, mini reviews and perspectives. Topic editors: Roneil Malkani, FEDERICA PROVINI, Stuart McCarter Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82720/exploring-sleep-dementia-link-neurocognitive-mechanisms-and-therapeutic-horizons