Patients suffering from REM sleep behavior disorder have poor blood flow to the brain, which can lead to a lack of oxygen to brain tissue. In the long term, this condition can cause symptoms ofcause Parkinson's disease. This is shown by studies from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital. According to the study authors, restlessness and a lot of movement during sleep could also indicate a brain disease. Researchers examined whether the sleep disorder, also known as rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, may be an early sign of Parkinson's disease.
Causes of poor blood circulation and disturbed sleep
By analyzing the complications of blood vessels in patients' brains, this research can reveal whether such individuals are developing brain disease. The study authors believe that the same disease processes that cause sleep problems also affect the ability to control blood flow in the brain. Accordingly, this can lead to a lack of oxygen in the brain tissue. Over time, brain tissue is gradually destroyed, causing symptoms typically seen in Parkinson's disease. The changes in the brain are also associated with reduced neurotransmitters. This means that the nerves there have difficulty controlling the blood vessels. Medical treatment could restore neurotransmitter and blood vessel control. This may help maintain cognitive function in patients with signs of Parkinson's disease, according to the study authors.
Patients aged 54 to 77 years and healthy controls of the same age took part in the study. The results showed poor blood circulation and disturbances in blood flow in the small blood vessels of the brain in the patients compared to the control group. The researchers observed these abnormalities in the cerebral cortex. This was associated with language comprehension, visual construction and recognition, which accordingly also means reduced cognitive performance. The authorsthis studyare now investigating whether reduced blood flow to the brain worsens over time and how this is related to the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The hope is to use the method to predict the disease in patients with sleep disorders. Parkinson's disease occurs because the brain lacks dopamine. It mainly affects adults and the first signs most often appear between the ages of 50 and 70.
