Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
Published on: October 20, 2023
Progression of brain cholinergic dysfunction in patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
Kristian Staer1, Alex Iranzo2,3,4, Miriam Højholt Terkelsen1,5
1Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark.
Background:
Reduced cortical acetylcholinesterase activity, as measured by 11 C-donepezil positron emission tomography (PET), has been reported in patients with isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). However, its progression and clinical implications have not been fully investigated. Here, we explored the relationship between longitudinal changes in brain acetylcholinesterase activity and cognitive function in iRBD.
Methods:
Twelve iRBD patients underwent 11 C-donepezil PET at baseline and after 3 years. PET images were interrogated with statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and a regions of interest (ROI) approach. Clinical progression was assessed with the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-Part III (MDS-UPDRS-III). Cognitive function was rated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Results:
From baseline to follow-up, the mean 11 C-donepezil distribution volume ratio (DVR) decreased in the cortex (p = 0.006), thalamus (p = 0.013), and caudate (p = 0.013) ROI. Despite no significant changes in the group mean MMSE or MoCA scores being observed, individually, seven patients showed a decline in their scores on these cognitive tests. Subgroup analysis showed that only the subgroup of patients with a decline in cognitive scores had a significant reduction in mean cortical 11 C-donepezil DVR.
Conclusions:
Our results show that severity of brain cholinergic dysfunction in iRBD patients increases significantly over 3 years, and those changes are more severe in those with a decline in cognitive test scores.
More Related Videos
07:26Characterizing the Relationship Between Eye Movement Parameters and Cognitive Functions in Non-demented Parkinson's Disease Patients with Eye Tracking
Published on: September 26, 2019
06:23A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
Published on: September 22, 2020
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:
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...
Narcolepsy
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacokinetics
Management of Insomnia