Sleep scientists have discovered two novel sleep biomarkers linked to neurodegenerative disease, according to an abstract presented recently at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).
With funding from the National Institute of Health, research collaborators from seven U.S. institutions uncovered the biomarkers using neuro-diagnostics device company Advanced Brain Monitoring’s Sleep Profiler EEG Sleep Monitor, according to a statement from the company.
The first biomarker, called non-REM sleep with hypertonia, was pronounced in patients with Parkinson’s disease, REM-sleep behavior disorder, Parkinson’s disease dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. This biomarker was limited in those with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease dementia and normal cognition, according to information provided by Daniel Levendowski, the study’s lead author.
The second biomarker, atypical stage N3 sleep, was found significantly greater in patients with synucleinopathies with dementia. Both biomarkers exhibited the characteristics typically expected for the prodromal assessment of synucleinopathies.
