Imaging of sleep disorders in pre-Parkinsonian syndromes

Curr Opin Neurol. 2022 Aug 1;35(4):443-452. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000001084. Epub 2022 Jul 5.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Neuroimaging has been advanced in the last years and enabled clinicians to evaluate sleep disorders, especially isolated rapid eye movement sleep disorder (iRBD), which can be seen in alpha-synucleinopathies. iRBD is the best prodromal clinical marker for phenoconversion to these neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to provide an update on advanced neuroimaging biomarkers in iRBD.

Recent findings: Advanced structural MRI techniques, such as diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI, neuromelanin-sensitive MRI, and scintigraphic neuroimaging such as cholinergic PET, dopamine transporter imaging - single-photon emission computerized tomography, perfusional single-photon emission computerized tomography, and cardiac metaiodobenzylguanidine can provide diagnostic and prognostic imaging biomarkers for iRBD, in isolation and more robustly when combined.

Summary: New advanced neuroimaging can provide imaging biomarkers and aid in the appropriate clinical assessment and future therapeutic trials.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging
  • Humans
  • Neuroimaging / methods
  • Parkinsonian Disorders*
  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder* / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Biomarkers