New research suggests that people with a sleep disorder have a higher risk of developing dementia

The researchers studied the medical records of 27 people with these three neurodegenerative conditions who had also experienced RBD earlier in life. Thestudy, published in the online issue of Neurology, found that 63% of people who experienced RBD developed dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson's disease in later life. In some cases the disorder was detected up to 50 years before the neurodegenerative condition developed.

Previous research has identified a link between sleep disorder and Lewy body dementia, a rare form of dementia, which composes 4% of all dementia cases in the UK. It is characterised by certain symptoms that are also present in people with both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'This study suggests that people with Lewy body dementia may experience sleep disorders up to half a century before their dementia symptoms develop. This research improves our understanding of how Lewy body dementia develops and how it might be linked to sleep disorders early in life. However we don't yet understand why this correlation exists, and given the small sample size of this study, more research is needed.'

'One in three people over 65 will die with dementia, therefore we need more research and more funding if we are to defeat this devastating condition.'

'The link between sleep disorder and dementia is not yet conclusive, however we do know that lifestyle factors play an important part in reducing our risk of dementia. Eating a healthy diet and doing regular exercise could reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 60 per cent.'

Ruth Sutherland
Acting Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

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Reference:
D.O. Claassen, MD, et al. REM sleep behavior disorder preceding other aspects of synucleinopathies by up to half a century. Online version of Neurology, 28 July 2010.

Notes to editors:

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just 15 years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.  
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Alzheimer's Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
  
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk