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Cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin levels are normal in idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder
K N Anderson1, A Vincent, I E Smith
1Regional Neurosciences Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE, UK. kirstie.anderson@nuth.nhs.uk
Background:
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a common sleep disorder that can be associated with a number of neurodegenerative conditions as well as with narcolepsy. Current diagnostic criteria require overnight polysomnography, and there are no other biomarkers available. The control of REM sleep is complex with a putative on/off switch within the brainstem activated, amongst other things, by hypocretinergic pathways from the lateral hypothalamus.
Methods:
Cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin levels were measured in five patients with idiopathic RBD.
Results:
Hypocretin levels were between 254 and 450 pg/ml and therefore within the normal range of >100 pg/ml.
Conclusion:
Hypocretin levels in patients with idiopathic RBD are normal.
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