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REM sleep behavior disorder in a patient with frontotemporal dementia

Neurol Sci. 2012 Apr;33(2):371-3. doi: 10.1007/s10072-011-0702-5. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

Abstract

We describe a patient with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a tauopathy, who also showed clinical and polysomnographic features of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). The patient is a 78-year-old male with a 1 year history of behavioral dysfunction involving emotion, character and social functioning. Brain imaging and the results of neuropsychological testing were consistent with a diagnosis of FTD. Sleep symptom onset occurred some years before the behavioral changes, and consisted of unpleasant dreams, vocalization, and prominent motor behaviors. A polysomnography confirmed the diagnosis of RBD. Our findings support the hypothesis that RBD, although more frequent in synucleinopathies, might be a pathological stage in the development of almost every neurodegenerative disorder in which the pathological process involves the cerebral structures that regulate muscle tone during REM sleep.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Electromyography
  • Electrooculography
  • Frontotemporal Dementia / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder / complications*
  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder / diagnosis