REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) as an Early Marker for Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases

摘要

REM behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by emergence of purposeful complex motor activity with an enactment of dream related activities. This condition is associated with vivid often violent dreams. In normal adults during REM, diffuse hypotonia of muscles occur and on polysomnography the limb and chin electromyographic (EMG) channels demonstrate a low voltage or even flat signal. In RBD, the EMG demonstrating intermittent loss of electromyographic atoniais one of the criteria for diagnosis. Diagnostic polysomnographyrequire capturing the complex dream behaviors on video and electroencephalography monitoring confirms that the behavior originated out of REM sleep. RBD can be either idiopathic or symptomatic of various underlying conditions and may in fact be a prodromal symptom of neurodegenerative disease. It can present acutely which is almost always induced by medications; or develop gradually over months to years. More than half of those with RBD will eventually exhibit signs and symptoms of a degenerative neurologic disorder. A Polysomnogram (PSG) is necessary to diagnose RBD, showing absence of REM sleep atonia and related abnormal behavior.