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van den Noort et al. Schizophrenia and sleep disorders

schizophrenia, as well as patients with sleep-wake electroencephalography, actiwatches, etc.) and
disorders. Pharmacological treatment with first- and “subjective” (e.g. self-report inventories, such as the
second-generation antipsychotics (e.g. amisulpride, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Munich Parasomnia
[17]
[18]
clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, etc.) is still the Screening, etc.) measurements must be used
most frequently used treatment in patients with first- if the efficiencies of various pharmacological and
episode and long-term schizophrenia. However, non-pharmacological treatments of patients with
[10]
mainly because of the adverse effects of the schizophrenia and comorbid sleep disorders are to be
pharmacological treatment, non-pharmacological add- determined with accuracy.
on treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy,
[11]
are being increasingly used. Sleep-wake disorders To conclude, many patients with schizophrenia suffer
are mostly treated with pharmacological interventions, from comorbid sleep-wake disorders. Therefore, in
such as benzodiazepines, zolpidem, zaleplon, etc., but daily clinical practice, sleep needs more attention in
unfortunately, side-effects are common here, as well. the treatment of patients with schizophrenia so that
[12]
In addition, non-pharmacological interventions, such such patients receive optimal treatment and their
as cognitive psychotherapy, sleep hygiene, relaxation qualities of life are increased. Finally, evidence for
therapy, acupuncture, etc., [13,14] are used. adding “disturbed sleep” as one of the characteristic
symptoms of schizophrenia in the DSM system seems
Previous research involving patients with to be mounting. [8,15]
schizophrenia and comorbid sleep disorders has
shown that a relation exists between sleep problems Financial support and sponsorship
and cognitive functioning. For instance, in a recent Nil.
[15]
study, a significant negative relationship was found Conflicts of interest
between the number of sleep problems and the
working memory performance; i.e. the more severe the There are no conflicts of interest.
patient’s sleep problems was, the lower the patient’s Patient consent
working memory performance was. However, more No patient involved.
[15]
research is warranted, and to date, many questions
remain unanswered: Firstly, how are poor sleep Ethics approval
and decreased social and cognitive functioning in This article does not contain any studies with human
patients with schizophrenia related? Secondly, what participants or animals.
role does the pharmacological treatment of patients
with schizophrenia play in their impaired sleep and REFERENCES
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226 Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation ¦ Volume 3 ¦ October 28, 2016