North American REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) clinical network
NAPS2 Clinical Core
This project collects health information and brain/body biomarkers from people with REM sleep behavior disorder to help prevent or delay Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321175 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, the team will collect clinical and cognitive information and repeated biomarker samples such as blood and sometimes spinal fluid, overnight sleep studies (polysomnography), brain MRIs, and DaTscan imaging. The work is done across multiple clinical sites so participants are followed over time to see who develops movement or dementia symptoms. Samples and data are stored centrally so many researchers can use them to look for early warning signs and targets for treatment. The consortium builds on an earlier phase that already enrolled over 200 people with PSG‑proven RBD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with REM sleep behavior disorder confirmed by polysomnography, especially those without a current diagnosis of Parkinsonism or dementia.
Not a fit: People without RBD or those who already have a diagnosed Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to tests or treatments that delay or prevent the development of Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy in people with RBD.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier NAPS work and other RBD cohorts have successfully collected biomarker and clinical data and identified risk markers, but treatments to prevent neurodegeneration have not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boeve, Bradley F — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Boeve, Bradley F
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.