Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, primarily characterized by detrimental and irreversible cognitive dysfunction. Sleep-wake rhythm disturban is a common symptom in AD patients, and extensive researches have shown that sleep-wake rhythm disturban predates the onset of behavioral symptoms of AD. The normal sleep-wake rhythm facilitates the metabolism of Amyloid-β-protein (A β) and tau protein. However, when the sleep-wake cycle is disturbed, the central nervous system’s ability to clear harmful metabolic waste diminishes. Moreover, sleep-wake rhythm disturban can also lead to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the central nervous system, accelerating cognitive impairment. Therefore, this review primarily explores the relationship between the disturban of the sleep-wake cycle and the development of AD.