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Orexin and Sleep Disturbances in Alpha-Synucleinopathies: a Systematic Review
Kausar Raheel1, Qi Rui See1, Veronica Munday1
1Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|July 20, 2024
Summary
The orexin system
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are common non-motor symptoms in alpha-synucleinopathies like Parkinson's Disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).
- The orexin system, crucial for arousal, is implicated in sleep regulation, with its dysregulation observed in animal models of these diseases.
- However, the precise role of the orexin system in human alpha-synucleinopathies and their associated sleep disturbances remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and critically assess current evidence on the association between the orexinergic system and sleep disturbances in alpha-synucleinopathies.
- To identify research gaps and methodological limitations in existing studies.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINFO.
- Studies investigating orexin and sleep in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Behaviour Disorder (RBD), PD, DLB, and MSA were included.
- Search terms included "Alpha-synucleinopathies," "Orexin," and "Sleep Disturbances."
Main Results:
- 17 studies were reviewed: 2 on RBD, 10 on PD, 4 on DLB, and 1 on MSA.
- Evidence suggests orexin levels may increase in early RBD and PD stages and decrease in later stages.
- No significant differences in orexin levels were found in MSA patients compared to controls. Methodological limitations hinder definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- A complex relationship exists between orexinergic system dysregulation and sleep disturbances in alpha-synucleinopathies.
- Further research with robust methodologies is needed to elucidate the underlying pathomechanisms.
- Targeting the orexin system may offer therapeutic potential for both motor and non-motor symptoms in these neurodegenerative diseases.
Keywords:
Alpha-synucleinopathiesOrexinParkinson's Disease (PD); Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)Sleep DisturbancesMore Related Videos
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