Spectral analysis of the electrophysiological characteristics of ageing people with Down syndrome (French text)

This descriptive study presents detailed information on the changes that arise due to ageing both at the level of the sleep architecture and at the spectral composition of the EEG during wakefulness and REM sleep. Down syndrome people are known to have a precocious ageing demonstrated through physical appearance and various medical conditions. Research has demonstrated that ageing people with Down syndrome are predisposed to Alzheimer's disease. By the age of 35 virtually all of them have the neuropathology of the disease. In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, alterations to the sleep architecture are observed. It is known that the EEG during REM sleep is affected by the deterioration of the central nervous system caused by Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of ageing on the sleep architecture of people with Down's syndrome. It also aims to verify if the sleep architecture and the different REM sleep components will be similar to those observed in normal ageing or in Alzheimer's disease. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...