Differential motor signatures in isolated and narcolepsy-related REM sleep behaviour disorder: a preliminary study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a prodrome of α-synucleinopathy, yet mechanistic pathways are unresolved. Narcolepsy type 1 with RBD (NT1-RBD) provides a human model of orexin deficiency. We tested whether REM motor semiology differs categorically between isolated RBD (iRBD) and NT1-RBD.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed blinded video-polysomnographic scorings from 57 patients (iRBD n = 34; NT1-RBD n = 23). Across 857 REM events (iRBD 717; NT1-RBD 140), we classified topography (head/neck, trunk, upper, lower limbs), complexity (elementary vs. complex), content (scenic, violent, self-referential), vocal/orofacial features, spatial distribution and laterality using a pre-specified codebook. The patient was the primary unit of inference.

SUBMITTER: Drakatos P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12847386 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature