Sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease and related disorders

Abstract

Sleep disturbance has been recognized as an important non–motor symptom of Parkinson's disease, which can impair the quality of life of patients. However, adequate screening and management of sleep disturbances coexisting with Parkinson's disease are still challenging issues. The causes of sleep disturbances include disease–related pathological changes in the brainstem and hypothalamus, which modulate REM / non–REM sleep and sleep–wake cycle, the effects of nighttime motor / non–motor symptoms including restlessness of the limbs and REM sleep behavior disorder, and the co–occurrence of other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea syndrome. We provide an updated review of sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease and related disorders.