NEUROCHEMICAL BASIS OF SLEEP DISORDERS IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. We are studying sleep disturbances accompanying the neurodegenerative diseases Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Huntington's Disease (HD), Sporadic Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy (OPCA), and Idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD). These diseases are associated with several sleep disorders, including rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), and both obstructive and central sleep apnea. The present study is designed to investigate the neurochemical basis of RBD and OSA in patients with these neurological disorders, and in patients with RBD alone. We will use a functional imaging technique, positron emission tomography (PET), with two biochemical agents (ligands) to study neurotransmitter densities in the brain. The agents include [11C]dihydrotetrabenazine ([11C]DTBZ) and [11C]methylpiperidin(c)4(c)yl propitionate ([11C]PMP). These studies will help us understand the biochemical basis of RBD and OSA and this information will be used to inform our attempts at treatment for these symptoms. We will study 190 people who have been diagnosed with MSA, PSP, PD, AD, DLB, and sOPCA, Idiopathic RBD, and normal controls. Research subjects must be between the ages of 45 and 75. We are interested in studying both men and women, and in studying people from all ethnic and racial backgrounds. Women may not take part in this project if they are pregnant or breast-feeding a baby. Individuals may not take part in this project if they have a neurologic or psychiatric condition that might interfere with this study. They may not take part in this project if they have a medical illness or a prior significant illness that might affect the project.