Sleep Disorders as Early Indicators of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Link Between Sleep Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases

New Delhi, May 30: Recent research suggests that sleep disorders could serve as early warning signs for neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia (LBD).

The focus of the study was on individuals suffering from Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), a condition where patients physically act out their dreams during the REM phase of sleep.

Shady Rahayel, a medical professor at Université de Montréal, explained, "Typically, during sleep and dreaming, our muscles are immobilized. However, some individuals over the age of 50 may exhibit significant agitation, leading to actions like punching, kicking, and screaming during sleep."

RBD is distinct from sleepwalking, which occurs during slow-wave sleep, and primarily affects middle-aged individuals, he noted.

According to the findings published in the journal eBioMedicine, nearly 90% of those diagnosed with RBD are likely to develop either Parkinson's disease or LBD.

“RBD serves as an early indicator that certain brain functions are deteriorating,” the research team stated.

“Patients with RBD who consult us are generally healthy, but among those who later develop a condition, half will be diagnosed with Parkinson's and the other half with LBD.”

Rahayel further elaborated that LBD, the second most prevalent form of dementia after Alzheimer's, severely impacts patients' daily functioning.

In addition to dementia symptoms, patients may experience Parkinson's-like signs, vivid visual hallucinations, and fluctuating attention levels.

The research utilized data from 1,276 MRI scans of individuals at risk for or diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or LBD, as well as scans from healthy subjects.

Employing machine learning and computational models, the researchers identified two distinct patterns of brain atrophy progression.

In LBD, brain atrophy appears to initiate in the cortex and subsequently spreads inward, whereas in Parkinson's, the atrophy begins from the interior and moves outward.

The research team plans to explore factors contributing to this cortical deterioration, including vascular lesions, medication effects, and lifestyle choices.

“Having identified these new patterns of progression, our objective is to determine through MRI whether an individual exhibits one of these patterns, enabling us to provide optimal care,” Rahayel concluded.