Neuropsychological Perspectives on Sleep and Cognition in Alzheimer’s Disease: from neural mechanisms to clinical management

Sleep and cognitive functioning are deeply intertwined processes, and their disruption represents one of the most clinically consequential interactions in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A growing body of evidence reveals that sleep architecture alterations - such as reduced slow-wave sleep, fragmented REM cycles, and circadian rhythm disruptions - are increasingly recognized as early markers of disease progression, with links to beta-amyloid deposition, tau aggregation, and gray-matter atrophy described in the neuroimaging literature. Yet, despite these advances, the neuropsychological manifestations of sleep disturbances in AD remain comparatively underexplored. How these alterations modulate cognition broadly - including attention, executive functions, language, and memory consolidation - as well as emotional regulation is a question of both diagnostic and therapeutic relevance. Furthermore, the impact of patients’ nocturnal symptoms on the psychological well-being and caregiving dynamics of families is only beginning to be systematically examined from a neuropsychological assessment perspective.This Research Topic aims to bridge the gap between sleep research and clinical neuropsychology, keeping cognitive and behavioral assessment practice at the center rather than the underlying neurobiology. The overarching goal is to characterize how sleep dysfunction influences neuropsychological profiles, cognitive trajectories, and emotional regulation patterns across the course of AD. It also seeks to identify and evaluate clinical strategies - particularly non-pharmacological interventions - that may support or compensate for cognitive decline through improved sleep quality.Suggested Topics:- Neuropsychological characterization of cognitive profiles associated with sleep architecture changes in AD- Development and validation of innovative cognitive and behavioral measurement tools for sleep disturbances in neurocognitive disorders- Non-pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral interventions (CBT-I, light therapy, sleep hygiene programs) to support cognitive functioning and daily living in AD- The role of sleep in cognition broadly - attention, executive functioning, memory consolidation - and emotional regulation across neurodegenerative progression- Impact of patient sleep disturbances on caregiver burden, psychological well-being, and family-centered clinical management- Integrative assessment frameworks connecting sleep physiology with neuropsychological and behavioral outcomes Topic editors: Yaneth Rodriguez-Agudelo, Ramiro Ruiz-Garcia Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84939/neuropsychological-perspectives-on-sleep-and-cognition-in-alzheimers-disease-from-neural-mechanisms-to-clinical-management