Sleep Disturbances Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Purpose of Review: Sleep disorders are prevalent following TBI and evolve over time. This review will discuss physiologic underpinnings of sleep disturbances, review a structured assessment, and propose management strategies for treating sleep disorders after TBI. Recent Findings: Sleep disorders after TBI may alter normal sleep regulators and systems such as the glymphatic system, resulting in long-term consequences. Additional means of evaluation of sleep such as wearables and home polysomnography may impact our understanding of prevalence and treatment of sleep after TBI. Summary: Sleep disturbances are common after TBI and can have significant functional impacts. Although significant progress has been made in studying sleep in the brain-injured population, validated tools and guidelines for sleep management in this population are forthcoming. Accurate and timely identification of sleep disorders is important to optimize long-term outcomes and improve quality of life.