Neuropsychological, electrophysiological and neuroimaging biomarkers for REM behavior disorder.

Neuropsychological, electrophysiological and neuroimaging biomarkers for REM behavior disorder. Expert Rev Neurother. 2019 Jul 05;: Authors: Ferini-Strambi L, Fasiello E, Sforza M, Maria S, Galbiati A Abstract Introduction: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep Behavior disorder (RBD) is a REM sleep parasomnia characterized by dream enacting behaviors allowed by the loss of physiological atonia during REM sleep. This disorder is recognized as a prodromal stage of neurodegenerative disease, in particular Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Therefore, a timely identification of biomarkers able to predict an early conversion into neurodegeneration is of utmost importance. Areas covered: In this review, the authors provide updated evidence regarding the presence of neuropsychological, electrophysiological and neuroimaging markers in isolated RBD (iRBD) patients when the neurodegeneration is yet to come. Expert opinion: Cognitive profile of iRBD patients is characterized by the presence of impairment in visuospatial abilities and executive function that is observed in α-synucleinopathies. However, longitudinal studies showed that impaired executive functions, rather than visuospatial abilities, augmented conversion risk. Cortical slowdown during wake and REM sleep suggest the presence of an ongoing neurodegenerative process paralleled by cognitive decline. Neuroimaging findings showed that impairment nigrostriatal dopaminergic system might...
Source: Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics - Category: Neurology Tags: Expert Rev Neurother Source Type: research