“Sundowning” as a biological phenomenon: current understandings and future directions: an update

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 383 - 392
• Main Author: Gnanasekaran, Gowrishankar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-06-2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Aged; Aging - physiology; Aging - psychology; Antipsychotic Agents - pharmacology; Behavior; Biological Phenomena; Body temperature; Caregivers; Circadian rhythm; Dementia; Dementia - complications; Endocrine system; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Humans; Institutionalization; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Melatonin; Mental depression; Neurodegeneration; Nursing homes; Older people; Oxidative Stress - physiology; Parkinson's disease; Physiology; Psychomotor Agitation - etiology; Psychomotor Agitation - metabolism; Psychomotor Agitation - therapy; Researchers; Review; Sleep; Sunlight; Sunlight; Oxidation; Treatments; Sundowning
• ISSN: 1720-8319; 1594-0667; 1720-8319
• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-015-0431-3

The clinical phenomenon of early evening disruptive behavior also called “Sundowning” in elderly patients has been largely reported in the medical literature without a consistent diagnosis and criteria to define this phenomenon. The current understandings of sundowning are incomplete and current treatment strategies have relied heavily on use of antipsychotic medications, despite side effects and limited evidence to justify their use. A comprehensive understanding of the biogenesis of this phenomenon and mechanistic changes from oxidative pathways may provide novel information on completing the sundowning puzzle. Future studies could examine the utility of natural factors in reviving neuronal energy loss and altering the oxidative pathways might be safe and additional options in development of treatment models for this behavioral disorder.