Predicting the progression of sleep behavior disorders to neurodegenerative diseases

Project: Predicting Phenoconversion

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-10866395

This study is looking at how having REM sleep behavior disorder might be an early sign of conditions like Parkinson's disease and dementia, and it's for people with RBD who want to help researchers find ways to catch these diseases earlier and improve treatment options.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10866395 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) may indicate the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. By studying over 300 participants with RBD and matched controls, the project aims to collect and analyze clinical data, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples, sleep studies, and neuroimaging results. The goal is to understand the progression from RBD to more severe conditions, which could lead to earlier interventions and treatments for affected individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals over 50 who have been diagnosed with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder.

Not a fit: Patients without REM sleep behavior disorder or those with advanced neurodegenerative diseases may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable earlier diagnosis and treatment options for patients at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the link between REM sleep behavior disorder and neurodegenerative diseases, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's disease and related dementia
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.