Sleep disorder linked to memory problems

An Australian scientist has found that people with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) have twice the risk of developing memory problems or Parkinson's disease compared to people without the disorder.

One of the hallmarks of rapid eye movement sleep is a state of paralysis, but patients with RBD appear to act out their dreams; for example, by punching the bed, jumping out of bed or injuring a bed partner.

About a third of people with the disorder developed mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease within four years of being in the study.

That is a rate 2.2 times greater than those with normal rapid eye movement sleep.

Australian behavioural neurologist Brandon Boot was the lead author of the paper, which has been published in the Annals of Neurology.

"This study is the first to quantify the risk associated with probable RBD in average people, not clinical patients," he said.

"It shows that we can predict the onset of some neurodegenerative disorders simply by asking a few critical questions."

Dr Boot was at Mayo Clinic when the study was conducted. He is now at Harvard University.

He says being able to identify those patients who are a greater risk of mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease will mean earlier treatment for those affected.

"Understanding that certain patients are at greater risk for MCI or Parkinson's disease will allow for early intervention, which is vital in the case of such disorders that destroy brain cells," said co-author Brad Boeve, a Mayo Clinic neurologist.

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Sleep disorder linked to memory problems