RBD: REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder and Parkinson’s
RBD is a sleep behaviour disorder that is linked to Parkinson’s. In some cases, it can be an early warning sign of Parkinson’s; in others, it occurs alongside the disease.
What is RBD?
RBD stands for REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder.
It is a type of sleep disorder that falls under the category of parasomnias — conditions that involve abnormal behaviour during sleep. REM sleep is normally characterised by rapid eye movements (hence the name) and temporary muscle paralysis. This paralysis, called atonia, prevents us from physically acting out our dreams.
In people with RBD, this paralysis is absent. As a result, they physically act out their dreams during REM sleep — which can include talking, shouting, flailing, kicking, or even injuring themselves or their bed partner. The dreams themselves are often intense, but rarely remembered, so people with RBD are often unaware they have the disorder.
RBD is more common in men than in women, and it tends to affect people in middle or older age more than younger individuals. The exact cause is still unknown.
About 80% of people diagnosed with RBD go on to develop a degenerative neurological condition within 10 years. Sadly, in most cases, RBD turns out to be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease — around 80–85% of people with RBD eventually receive a Parkinson’s diagnosis. The connection also works the other way around: people who already have Parkinson’s may also experience RBD as a symptom.
How do you know if you have RBD?
- You’re dreaming and suddenly realise that you’re kicking, hitting, laughing, shouting — or making some other movement — and that’s what wakes you up.
- More often, you don’t notice it yourself, but a bed partner points it out after being woken up by your restless behaviour.
- Sometimes, people with RBD move so violently during sleep that they fall out of bed or bump into something.
- As mentioned earlier, aggressive behaviour is also possible.
Because of this, people with RBD can injure themselves or others. - During the day, people with RBD are often very tired.
If you have unexplained injuries or bruises, wake up while moving or making noise, or your bed partner complains about extreme restlessness — and you’re also feeling tired — it may be a reason to see a doctor. Ask for a referral to a sleep clinic, where a diagnosis of possible RBD can be made.
What’s the current state of research?
Research into RBD is being carried out at various centres, including the UMCG (University Medical Centre Groningen), where scientists are studying the link between RBD and Parkinson’s disease. The aim of this research is to prevent or cure Parkinson’s.
