Rapid-eye-movement sleep behaviour disorder and neurodegenerative diseases

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine
• Neurodegeneration

Background:

• Rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the loss of normal muscle atonia during REM sleep.
• This leads to prominent motor behaviors during sleep, potentially causing injury to the patient or bed partner.
• RBD is strongly linked to several neurodegenerative diseases, often appearing years before other clinical symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the association between REM sleep behaviour disorder and neurodegenerative diseases.
• To emphasize the potential of RBD as an early biomarker for neurodegeneration.
• To underscore the need for increased awareness for advancing diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent studies on RBD.
• Analysis of electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in RBD patients.
• Assessment of cerebral blood flow, cognitive, perceptual, and autonomic functions in individuals with RBD.

Main Results:

• RBD is characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis during REM sleep, leading to motor manifestations.
• RBD symptoms frequently precede the onset of overt neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
• Associated abnormalities include altered EEG activity, cerebral blood flow, and deficits in cognitive, perceptual, and autonomic functions.

Conclusions:

• REM sleep behaviour disorder may represent an early prodromal stage of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Increased recognition of RBD can significantly advance the understanding of neurodegenerative disorder mechanisms.
• Early identification of RBD could lead to improved diagnostic approaches and therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative conditions.