sundowning en · NOUN
Etymology
From sundown + -ing.
Meanings
-
(uncountable) A state of agitation, confusion, or delirium, especially in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which begins each evening and which is alleviated by daylight.
Impaired judgment and sundowning (increased confusion when orienting cues diminish at night) often makes it necessary to restrict and protect the delirious patient.
1986, Norma Sullivan, Barry Fogel, “Could This Be Delirium?”, in The American Journal of Nursing, volume 86, number 12, page 1363:Polysomnography and othersleep measures show sleep fragmentation with shortening of N3 sleep togetherwith excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and sundowning as the main findings in AD patients.
2023 April 14, Abhijit Satpati, Thomas Neylan, Lea T. Grinberg, “Histaminergic neurotransmission in aging and Alzheimer's disease: A review of therapeutic opportunities and gaps”, in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, volume 9, number 2, Wiley, →DOI, →ISSN:
Relateds
Synonyms
sundowner syndrome · nocturnal delirium
Translations (6)
pl zespół zachodzącego słońca (nightly agitation, confusion, or delirium) · cmn 日落綜合徵 /日落综合征 (nightly agitation, confusion, or delirium) · fi auringonlaskuoireyhtymä (nightly agitation, confusion, or delirium) · cmn 日落症候群 (nightly agitation, confusion, or delirium) · cmn 日落綜合症 /日落综合症 (nightly agitation, confusion, or delirium) · ja 日暮れ時兆候 (nightly agitation, confusion, or delirium)