Reduced rapid eye movement sleep latency in patients with Parkinson's disease

V S Kostić1, V Susić, N Covicković-Sternić

  • 1Department of Neurology UCC, School of Medicine, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Journal of Neurology
|October 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Parkinson's disease patients often experience reduced Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep latency. This sleep abnormality is more prevalent in those with co-occurring depression, suggesting a link between REM sleep and mood in Parkinson's.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Reduced REM sleep latency is a potential biomarker.
  • Its association with depression is established.
  • Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate REM sleep latency in IPD patients.
  • To determine if reduced REM sleep latency is common in IPD.
  • To explore the relationship between REM sleep latency and depression in IPD.

Main Methods:

  • Measured REM sleep latency in 39 IPD patients.
  • Compared latency between depressed and non-depressed IPD subgroups.
  • Defined reduced REM sleep latency as ≤ 65.0 minutes.

Main Results:

  • 69% of IPD patients exhibited reduced REM sleep latency.
  • The incidence of reduced REM sleep latency was significantly higher in depressed IPD patients compared to non-depressed IPD patients.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced REM sleep latency is a frequent finding in IPD.
  • Depression may exacerbate or be associated with REM sleep abnormalities in Parkinson's disease.
  • REM sleep latency could be a relevant clinical marker in IPD management.

Related Concept Videos

Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Parkinson's Disease: Overview01:15

Parkinson's Disease: Overview

Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment01:24

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Parkinson Disease l: Introduction01:24

Parkinson Disease l: Introduction

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of which...