Google does pop up hyperthyroidism - it can often cause night-time yowling and pacing, and the cat will eat more without gaining weight (does she eat her kills?), and be more active. The vet here also suggests their own opinion, that the lighter/shorter sleep of elderly humans might also occur in cats:
no subject
Date: 2010-07-29 04:33 pm (UTC)http://www.vetinfo.com/catold.html