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Global Perspectives on the Link between REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Haixia Fan1, Lu Zhai2, Shudan Deng2
1First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
European Neurology
|March 3, 2026
Summary
Research on Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) has significantly increased, shifting towards early detection and neurodegenerative disease prediction. Global collaboration is key to understanding this REM sleep disorder and its links to Parkinson's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Bibliometrics
Background:
- Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by loss of muscle atonia during REM sleep.
- RBD is strongly linked to neurodegenerative diseases, particularly alpha-synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease.
- This study provides a bibliometric analysis of global RBD research from 2010 to 2025.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a bibliometric overview of global research trends in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD).
- To analyze publication output, geographic distribution, institutional collaboration, and key research themes in RBD.
- To identify the evolution of research focus from clinical characterization to translational approaches.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 4,204 publications from Web of Science and Scopus databases.
- Utilized bibliometric tools including CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Python, and R (bibliometrix).
- Examined publication trends, geographic and institutional contributions, author influence, journal impact, and keyword evolution.
Main Results:
- A steady increase in RBD publications, with accelerated growth post-2015.
- The United States, China, and Canada led in contributions, with notable institutions including the University of Toronto, Mayo Clinic, and Peking University.
- Research focus shifted towards biomarker identification, early intervention, alpha-synuclein pathology, prodromal Parkinson's disease, and melatonin therapy.
Conclusions:
- RBD research is increasingly translational, focusing on early detection and neurodegenerative risk prediction.
- Global collaboration is enhancing the understanding of RBD mechanisms and its predictive value.
- The field shows growing interest in mechanistic insights and therapeutic strategies for RBD.
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