Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Importance of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder to the Primary Care Physician.

Mayo Clinic proceedings
October 1, 2016
Stuart J McCarter et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of melatonin in treating rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and its association with neurodegenerative diseases.

Results Summary

Melatonin (3-6 mg before bed) was found to be an effective treatment for RBD, reducing sleep-related injury and dream enactment behaviors. The study highlights its potential as a reversible treatment option for RBD, though long-term outcomes were not detailed.

Population

Individuals with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, particularly those over 60 years old.

Effective Dosage

3-6 mg before bed

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (2)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
melatonin
decrease
rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
patients with RBD
-
treatable
#1
clonazepam
decrease
rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
patients with RBD
-
treatable
#2
Abstract

Sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases are commonly encountered in primary care. A common, but underdiagnosed sleep disorder, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), is highly associated with Parkinson disease and related disorders. Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder is common. It is estimated to affect 0.5% of the general population and more than 7% of individuals older than 60 years; however, most cases go unrecognized. Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder presents as dream enactment, often with patients thrashing, punching, and kicking while they are sleeping. Physicians can quickly assess for the presence of RBD with high sensitivity and specificity by asking patients the question "Have you ever been told that you act out your dreams, for example by punching or flailing your arms in the air or screaming and shouting in your sleep?" Patients with RBD exhibit subtle signs of neurodegenerative disease, such as mild motor slowing, constipation, or changes in sense of smell. These signs and symptoms may predict development of a neurodegenerative disease within 3 years. Ultimately, most patients with RBD develop a neurodegenerative disease, highlighting the importance of serial neurological examinations to assess for the presence of parkinsonism and/or cognitive impairment and prognostic counseling for these patients. Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder is treatable with melatonin (3-6 mg before bed) or clonazepam (0.5-1 mg before bed) and may be the most common, reversible cause of sleep-related injury. Thus, it is important to identify patients at risk of RBD in a primary care setting so that bedroom safety can be addressed and treatment may be initiated.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Central Nervous System DepressantsClonazepamDiagnosis, DifferentialGABA ModulatorsHumansMelatoninMental DisordersNeurodegenerative DiseasesPrimary Health CareREM Sleep Behavior DisorderReferral and Consultation
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations4
Citations/Year0.4
Relative Citation Ratio0.20
NIH Percentile9.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.40
Normalized Score0.62
Related Supplements