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Assessing Veterans With Gulf War Illness for Prodromal Parkinson's Disease Risk With the REM Behavioral Sleep
Linda L Chao1, Tamara Stiep, José Rafael P Zuzuárregui
1From the Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California (L.L.C.); San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California (L.L.C., T.S., J.R.P.Z.); and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California (T.S., J.R.P.Z.).
Gulf War veterans exposed to deployment-related factors show increased risk for prodromal Parkinson's Disease (PD), potentially mediated by REM Sleep Behavioral Disorder (RBD). Further research is warranted.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Environmental Health
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Gulf War (GW) veterans may be at increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases.
- REM Sleep Behavioral Disorder (RBD) is a potential early indicator of Parkinson's Disease (PD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of prodromal PD symptoms in GW veterans using the RBD Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ).
- To explore associations between deployment-related exposures, RBD, and potential PD indicators in GW veterans.
Main Methods:
- 165 GW veterans were assessed for nonmotor PD symptoms using the RBDSQ and other scales.
- Subgroups underwent smell identification tests, neurological exams, and MRI scans.
Main Results:
- Probable RBD (RBDSQ score ≥5) was identified in 73% of veterans without PD and 80% of veterans with PD.
- Higher RBDSQ scores correlated with GW deployment exposures and inversely with brainstem volume.
Conclusions:
- GW veterans with high deployment exposures may be at risk for prodromal PD.
- RBD may serve as a mediator in the development of PD in this population.
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