Executive dysfunction and memory impairment in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder
J Massicotte-Marquez1, A Décary, J-F Gagnon
1Centre d'Etude du Sommeil et des Rythmes Biologiques, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 Boul. Gouin Ouest Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Background:
Idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) might be a stage in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, especially Parkinson disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Recent studies showing a slowing of waking EEG in iRBD suggest that iRBD is associated with cognitive impairment.
Objective:
To compare patients with iRBD on measures of cognitive function and quantitative waking EEG.
Methods:
Fourteen patients with iRBD and 14 healthy control subjects matched for age and educational level were studied. Subjects underwent an extensive neuropsychological evaluation and waking EEG recordings.
Results:
Compared to controls, patients with iRBD showed a lower performance on neuropsychological tests measuring attention, executive functions, and verbal memory. Moreover, patients with iRBD showed EEG slowing (higher delta and theta power) during wakefulness in all brain areas compared to controls. However, no correlation was found between performance on cognitive tests and quantitative waking EEG in patients with iRBD.
Conclusion:
This study shows a co-occurrence of impaired cognitive profile and waking EEG slowing in patients with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder similar to that observed in early stages of some synucleinopathies.
Related Concept Videos
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
Narcolepsy
Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
Stages of Sleep
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...

