When Parkinson's Disease Affects Your Sleep.

Researchers at Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital conducted a study which demonstrates that these behaviors may be potential early markers for Parkinson's disease.

Based on the statement made by Simon Firstad Skilsen, who was responsible for this study, these behaviors create adverse effects in the vascular system of the brain of patients, resulting in a reduction in neural transmission and impaired control of cerebral blood vessels by the nervous system. In other words, the process that leads to RBD disturbance affects the brain's ability to control oxygen levels and results in a depletion of oxygen in brain tissue. Over time, this leads to the degradation of brain tissue and ultimately results in the manifestation of Parkinson's symptoms.

In this study, a sample of 20 patients aged between 54 and 77 years, who were afflicted with RBD, and 25 healthy individuals aged between 58 and 76 years participated. The individuals were subjected to a sleep study in a laboratory, in which their activities were monitored using instruments such as EEG (electrical activity in the brain), EOG (eye movements), EMG (muscular activity), and ECG (electrical activity in the heart) throughout their sleep.

Both groups (individuals with RBD disorder and healthy individuals) were examined cognitively using MRI scans. The findings indicate that individuals with RBD exhibit reduced cerebral blood flow and disruptions in the circulation of blood in small cerebral vessels. Given the relationship between impaired blood flow and the cortical areas responsible for language comprehension, visual processing, and cognitive functioning, it can be inferred that RBD individuals may also experience cognitive decline and disruptions in their neural function.

Researchers are currently investigating whether the decline in cerebral blood flow worsens over time and how this issue may be related to Parkinson's disease symptoms. The recently published study in the scientific journal Brain offers hope for predicting Parkinson's disease in individuals with RBD disorder, which could lead to early prevention of symptoms.

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