UWM researcher studying nighttime agitation in Alzheimer’s patients

People with Alzheimer’s disease often experience a period of restlessness or agitation late in the day. Known as “sundowning,” it also disrupts the patients’ sleep.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee believe a condition called restless legs syndrome (RLS), an inability to sit or lie still in the evening and night, plays a major role in sundowning behavior.

Christine Kovach (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Christine Kovach (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)

Nursing professors Kathy Richards at UT Austin and Christine Kovach, the Jewish Home and Care Center Research Professor in Aging at UWM, have a $3.9 million, five-year grant from the National Institute on Aging to test that theory.

Nighttime agitation behaviors are often treated with powerful antipsychotic drugs that have dangerous side effects. Richards and Kovach want to know if treatment with RLS drugs alone might effectively reduce symptoms and decrease the use of antipsychotic drugs.

“Nighttime agitation is the No. 1 reason why people with Alzheimer’s cannot be cared for at home,” Richards said. “If we can find a better and more precise way to treat it, we can improve the quality of life for many persons who are living with Alzheimer’s disease.”

The study, an eight-week, randomized controlled trial, involves 136 care residents with nighttime agitation and RLS living in long-term care settings in Texas. The patients will receive either an FDA-approved drug for RLS or a placebo.

“We have brought together the world leaders on RLS and dementia on the study team and believe results from this precision medicine approach could be a game changer,” said Kovach.

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