Risk Factors And Complications Linked To REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Gender And Age

Gender and age can be risk factors for REM sleep behavior disorder. The symptoms most often develop in middle-aged and elderly individuals, though there have been cases reported in younger patients. Men are also more prone to developing this condition. Since the overarching cause of REM sleep behavior disorder is unknown, it's not well understood why men are at a higher risk. In addition, it's worth noting some studies indicate in cases involving narcolepsy, patients are equally likely to develop REM sleep behavior disorder regardless of gender. Many patients are men over fifty years old. If an individual develops symptoms, it's important for them to see a sleep specialist or other medical professional. REM sleep behavior disorder can be a sign of a neurological disorder. Oftentimes, symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder occur before other typical symptoms of serious neurological disorders.

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Neurodegenerative Diseases

Lewy body dementia has also been linked to REM sleep behavior disorder. This type of dementia is the second most common progressive dementia, with the first most common being Alzheimer's disease. It occurs when proteins called Lewy bodies build up in the brain, leading to degeneration over time. Other neurodegenerative diseases have been associated with REM sleep behavior disorder as well. Some of them are Shy-Drager syndrome, multisystem atrophy, and Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease progressively affects an individual's movement, beginning with tremors that worsen over time. Shy-Drager syndrome is a rare disorder that causes slow movement, tremors, postural instability, and muscle rigidity because of dysfunction in the basal ganglia.

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