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Updated: Nov 22, 2025

Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease

Published on: July 24, 2019

Sighs during sleep in multiple system atrophy.

Sara Parreira¹, Francisco Antunes², Miguel Coelho³

¹Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal.

|January 5, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Increased sighing during sleep is a potential indicator for multiple system atrophy (MSA). This study found higher sigh frequencies in MSA patients compared to Parkinson's disease patients, suggesting it as a diagnostic red flag.

Keywords:

Atypical parkinsonism Multiple system atrophy Sigh breaths Sleep-related breathing disorders

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Sleep Medicine
Respiratory Physiology

Background:

Inspiratory sighs during sleep are occasionally observed in healthy adults.
High sigh frequency is a potential diagnostic marker for multiple system atrophy (MSA), particularly its parkinsonian form (MSA-P).
The precise frequency and characteristics of sighs in MSA during sleep remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine and compare the frequency of sighs during sleep in patients with MSA versus Parkinson's disease (PD).
To investigate potential associations between sighing and breathing disorders or autonomic changes in MSA.
To evaluate sighs as a potential diagnostic red flag for MSA.

Main Methods:

Analysis of polysomnography recordings from 9 patients with MSA (MSA-P and MSA-C) and 9 matched patients with PD.
Quantification of sigh frequency and the sigh index during sleep and wakefulness.
Assessment of associated respiratory events, oxygen saturation, and autonomic changes.

Main Results:

A significantly higher proportion of MSA patients exhibited sleep-related sighs compared to PD patients.
The median sigh index was significantly elevated in MSA patients during both sleep and wakefulness.
Sighs in MSA were associated with oxygen desaturation in 12% of cases and followed by respiratory events (predominantly central sleep apneas) in 45% of instances.

Conclusions:

Elevated sigh frequency during sleep should be considered a potential red flag for multiple system atrophy (MSA).
Further research is warranted to establish the specificity of increased sleep-related sighing for MSA.
Sighing characteristics during sleep may aid in differentiating MSA from Parkinson's disease.